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| William Farren as Lord Ogleby in "The Clandestine Marriage" Samuel de Wilde, 1818 The Victoria & Albert Museum |
Painted in 1818 by Samuel De Wilde (1748-1832), this work of oil on canvas depicts popular early Nineteenth-Century English actor William Farren in one of his most celebrated roles—“Lord Ogleby” in the 1818 production of “The Clandestine Marriage.”
The painting was bequeathed to the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1869 by Rev. Alexander Dyce (1798-1869), a literary scholar and art collector. It’s an excellent example of the work of De Wilde who made a handsome living as a theatrical portrait painter. In this case, we see Mr. Farren as a character who was described as “an old peer, ridiculously aping the graces of youth, but kind-hearted and benevolent, withal.” The painting depicts a moment in Act II scene ii of “The Clandestine Marriage” when Lord Ogleby is presented with a nosegay. The dialogue follows:
Lord Ogleby: I'll wear it next my heart, madam! - I see the young creature dotes on me! (Apart)
Miss Sterling: Lord, sister! you've loaded his lordship with a bunch of flowers as big as the cook or the nurse carry to town, on a Monday morning for a beau-pot. - Will your lordship give me leave to present you with this rose and sprig of sweet-briar?
Lord Ogleby: The truest emblems of yourself, madam! all sweetness and poignancy. - A little jealous, poor soul! (Apart)
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