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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D5459/1/32
Former ReferenceD5459/1/57
TitleThe Widow
DateFeb 1787
DescriptionA young woman all in black, with a white handkerchief around her shoulders, and black veil, kneels on a grave under a tree, facing a gravestone on the left. On the right the moon can be seen between the clouds. Available on CD 157.
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
ArtistWoodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809)
Archive CreatorGeorge Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer
Further InformationG M W Delin : Februy 1787

The following lines are written under the drawing:
"Prone on the Lonely Grave of the dear man | She drops; whilst busy meddling memory | In barbourous [sic] succession musters | The past endearments of their softer hours | Tenacious of its theme. Still, still she thinks | She sees him, and indulging the fond thought | Clings yet more closely to the senseless turf | Nor heeds the passenger who looks that way
Blairs Poem of the Grave"

The lines are taken from Blair's (1699 - 1746) 'The Grave'. The poem was first published in 1743 and by 1798 had gone through 49 editions. The 1808 edition was illustrated by William Blake.
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Physical DescriptionColoured drawing. 302 x 201 mm. Portrait.
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Image

The Widow

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