Church Scene from Much Ado About Nothing

Description

An early 19th-century oil painting on canvas, depicting a scene from William Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing'. Unglazed and mounted in a gilt frame, inscribed 'Thomas Stothard R.A. 1755-1834' on the frame. The painting illustrates the Church Scene from Act IV, Scene 1, in which the wedding of Claudio and Hero breaks down into chaos when Claudio, having been deceived by Don Pedro, announces to all present that his intended bride has been unfaithful; Hero subsequently faints while Claudio is shown here turning from her in anger and disgust. The painting was possibly a study either for a larger work or for an illustrated edition of the play.

Bequeathed by Richard Jeffree through Art Fund.