It is interesting that the first watercolour DGR completed should illustrate a poem by Robert Browningâ
âThe Laboratory (Ancient Regime)â, which is set in pre-revolutionary France. Generalizing the scene (she is not wearing the âmaskâ mentioned at the beginning of the poem), DGR nicely captures the vicious and cool passion of the unnamed woman who has sought out the old apothecary.
Although it is sometimes said that the subject of Browning's poem was Marguerite DâAubray Brivilliers (1630- 76), who had poisoned her father and brothers and planned to poison her husband, this is clearly not the case. Whether Browning's monologue was partly inspired by his recollection of this scandalous afffair from the court of Louis XIV is another matter.
This collection contains 5 texts and images, including:
Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery watercolour
Scholarly Commentary
IntroductionÂ
It is interesting that the first watercolour DGR completed should illustrate a poem by Robert Browningâ âThe Laboratory (Ancient Regime)â, which is set in pre-revolutionary France. Generalizing the scene (she is not wearing the âmaskâ mentioned at the beginning of the poem), DGR nicely captures the vicious and cool passion of the unnamed woman who has sought out the old apothecary.
Production HistoryÂ
The exact date of the picture, which was owned by William Bell Scott, is not known.
LiteraryÂ
Although it is sometimes said that the subject of Browning's poem was Marguerite DâAubray Brivilliers (1630- 76), who had poisoned her father and brothers and planned to poison her husband, this is clearly not the case. Whether Browning's monologue was partly inspired by his recollection of this scandalous afffair from the court of Louis XIV is another matter.