There is a Divinity that shapes our ends...
Laurence Henry Foster Irving (London 1897 - 1988)
Category
Art / Prints
Date
1934
Materials
Pen and black and red ink on paper
Measurements
550 x 420 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Greys Court, Oxfordshire
NT 196038
Summary
Print on paper, showing an older actor, probably Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) seated alone on stage with theatrical props from many different characters, while above in red are ghosts of former roles. The title, 'There is a Divinity that shapes our ends...' is printed below, along with the name of the artist, Laurence Irving (1897-1988) who has also signed the print. Further signatures from actors have been made below. The print was produced in 1934 for the King George V Pension Fund for Actors and Actresses.
Full description
Theatrical links were strong in the Brunner family of Greys Court. The famous Victorian actor, Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) was the grandfather of Lady Elizabeth Brunner, whose parents had also been actors. This background encouraged her brother Laurence Irving (1897-1988) to become an artist who worked on several set designs for theatre shows and films. This particular print, designed by Laurence Irving, was produced for the matinee performance of the play, 'The Winning Post' which was performed in the presence of King George V and his wife Queen Mary on 17 December, 1934 to raise funds for King George's Pension Fund for Actors and Actresses. It portrays an elderly actor, who is probably intended to be Irving's grandfather Henry Irving, seated on a stage, looking at all the props and scripts he has used over his career. Above him, are the ghosts of the former characters and roles he has played. This sense of a later career is further enhanced by the print's title, 'There is a Divinity which shapes our end..." a quote from William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet (Act V, Scene 2). This print has been signed by several famous British actors who appeared in the performance of the play. The signatures include, Dame Elizabeth Braithwaite (1873-1948), Gladys Cooper (1888-1971), Franklin Dyall (1870-1950), Charles Vernon France (1868-1949), Sir Seymour Hicks (1871-1949), Ursula Jeans (1906-1973), Owen Nares (1888-1943), Sir Laurence Olivier (1907-1989), Margaretta Scott (1912-2005), Sir Godfrey Tearle (1884-1953), Ellaline Terriss (1871-1971), Ann Todd (1907-1993) and Maud Tree (1863-1937). It has also been signed by the artist, Laurence Irving.
Provenance
Assigned to the National Trust from the Estate of Lady Elizabeth Brunner, 2022.
Makers and roles
Laurence Henry Foster Irving (London 1897 - 1988), artist