John Masey Wright O.W.S. 1777-1866. English School Early 19th.Century. An archive collection of sixteen watercolour & pen and ink sketches of primarily Shakespearean subjects. Dateable to Circa.1825. Subjects include: Macbeth, Richard II, The Taming Of The Shrew, The Merry Wives Of Windsor, Romeo And Juliet, Hamlet, All's Well That End's Well, King John and The Merchant Of Venice. Various sizes from 19 by 19 cms to 23 by 27.5 cms.
John Masey Wright was born the son of an organ builder in London, initially apprenticed to that trade he had the opportunity to study Thomas Stothard (1755-1834) the leading illustrator of the day at work. Apart from that he was largely self taught. About 1810 Wright became associated with Henry Aston Barker, and worked on his "Panorama" in The Strand, depicting the battles of Coruña, Vittoria, and Waterloo. He was also employed for a time as a scene painter at the Royal Opera House. But his reputation largely rests upon his small compositions illustrating Shakespeare and other poets. He exhibited at The Royal Academy from 1812-1818 and in 1824 was elected an Associate of the Watercolour Society, becoming a full member the following year.