William Hilton, R.A. (1786-1839)

Details
William Hilton, R.A. (1786-1839)

King Lear and his three daughters

signed lower right 'Hilton RA' (strengthened)
61 x 78in. (154.9 x 198.2cm.)
Provenance
St. John College, Cleveland, Ohio
Exhibited
London, British Institution, 1814, no. 63, as measuring 6.0 x 7/6 including frame

Lot Essay

The 1814 British Institution catalogue gives a reference in Shakespeare's King Lear, Act 1, scene 1: "Nothing can come of nothing..." etc., the actual text reads "Nothing will come of nothing", and comes after Cordelia's reply of "Nothing, my Lord" in reply to Lear's demand to his three daughters to tell him which of them loves him most. From Cordelia's answer stems the action of the play

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