Sunday, February 21, 2016

Barney Tobey and Tristram Shandy

I protest, Madam, said my uncle Toby, I can see nothing whatever in your eye.
—Laurence Sterne
Tristram Shandy

Barney Tobey's 1933 depiction of Widow Wadman and Uncle Toby illustrates a famous scene of seduction from Laurence Sterne's comic masterpiece Tristram Shandy. It also recalls a 19th century painting of the same subject by Charles Robert Leslie in the Tate Gallery. Tobey's version is set in a parlor with a fireplace, which seems to ignore the setting of Uncle Toby's sentry box specified by Sterne.

Widow Wadman and Uncle Toby, 1933
Barney Tobey

Doyle New York, July 13, 2005



Uncle Toby and Widow Wadman, 1829-30, Tate Gallery, London
Charles Robert Leslie

Widow Wadman and Uncle Toby, 1933
Barney Tobey


https://books.google.com/books?id=_1Om_yPg5aYC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false




January 30, 2022 Update:  Charles Robert Leslie's 1829-30 painting was used as the basis for an engraving of the same subject by Lumb Stocks in 1853.
Lumb Stocks engraving after Charles Robert Leslie

Painter and engraver

Detail



Lumb Stocks engraving after Charles Robert Leslie
Invaluable listing accessed January 30, 2022




The engraving sold for $100:






Note:  The William Doyle Gallery's photo of the Tobey illustration is uncharacteristically marred by reflected light. If the present owner would care to send in a better photo, I'm sure the general public would be appreciative, as would I. The world of arts and letters, I'm certain, would also be curious to know whether Barney Tobey tackled any other scenes from Tristram Shandy. If anyone can answer this, please give a shout.

Barney Tobey's work is proudly featured in the archives of Attempted Bloggery. Chime in if you've got something more of his to share.


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