2-913-801 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Shylock and Jessica" - drawn by John Gilbert, 1854. 'Mr. Gilbert has selected for Illustration a scene from Shakspeare's charming; play of "The Merchant of Venice." It represents one of the milder incidents of the Jew's suspicions...The scene presented the artist with an opportunity for the display of the striking costume of the drama, of which he has gracefully availed himself. The Jew wears "his Jewish gaberdine;" the maiden wears in her hair sequins; the impersonation realises Mr. Knight's characteristic of her - "young, agreeable, intelligent, formed for happiness, she is shut up by her father in a dreary solitude".The Jew's clown, or servant, is alike characteristic: The patch is kind enough; but a huge feeder, Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day More than the wild cat"'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.