Artwork
Print showing Nell Gwyn and her sons
Print showing Nell Gwyn and her sons is a print by Henri Gascar. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The print presents a domestic scene of Nell Gwyn embracing her two sons, who occupy the central space of the composition.
About this work
Overview
The print presents a domestic scene of Nell Gwyn embracing her two sons, who occupy the central space of the composition. The image is an engraving executed by Edward Stodart, who based his work on an earlier drawing by the French artist Henry Gascar. The piece is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection in London and dates from the late nineteenth century, well after Gascar’s death.
Subject & Meaning
Nell Gwyn, a celebrated actress of the Restoration era, is depicted in a tender maternal role, highlighting the personal dimension of a public figure known primarily for her stage career. The inclusion of her children underscores themes of family and affection, offering a glimpse into the private life of a woman who rose from humble origins to courtly prominence.
Technique & Style
Stodart’s engraving translates Gascar’s original drawing into a line-based medium, employing fine cross-hatching to render texture and depth. The composition balances the figures within a modest interior setting, with the mother’s arms framing the boys, creating a sense of intimacy. The style reflects nineteenth‑century British printmaking conventions, emphasizing clarity and narrative detail.
History & Provenance
The original image was created by Henry Gascar, an artist active in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries.
The original image was created by Henry Gascar, an artist active in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Decades later, Edward Stodart, a London engraver, reproduced the composition for publication. The resulting print entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings, where it remains catalogued as a representation of both historical portraiture and Victorian-era interest in Restoration personalities.
Context
Nell Gwyn (1650‑1687) achieved fame as a comic actress and later as a mistress of King Charles II. Her life has been romanticized in literature and visual arts, particularly during the nineteenth century, when Victorian audiences revived interest in Restoration figures. This print reflects that period’s fascination with historical celebrity and domestic virtue.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henri Gascar (c. 1635 – 1 Jan 1701) was a French painter who achieved artistic success in England during the reign of Charles II. He painted many leading ladies at court, including several of the King's mistresses,…
