One of the most successful of Mulready's illustrated books is Oliver Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield illustrated by the artist, whose simplicity and homely feeling were well suited to Goldsmith’s style. The Vicar of Wakefield, first published in 1766, was extremely popular with the English reading public. Sir Walter Scott’s appreciation of the book was shared by many: We read [it] in youth and in age, we return to it again and again, and bless the memory of an author who contrives so well to reconcile us to human nature … the wreath of Goldsmith is unsullied; he wrote to exalt virtue and expose vice. The Victorian reader agreed with this pious assessment and the novel was reissued repeatedly throughout the nineteenth century. In 1840 Mulready was commissioned to illustrate the book and produced 32 drawings, one for each chapter head. The etchings were conceived by John Thompson who was one of the best wood-engraver in England. This was the most extensively illustrated version to date, following earlier editions illustrated by Daniel Dodd (1780), Thomas Stothard (17920, Thomas Uwins (1812), Thomas Rowlandson (1817) and George Cruikshank (1830, 1832). Only the volume illustrated by Rowlandson with twenty-four aquatints approached Mulread’s in sheer quantity of illustration. Mulready’s drawings with its simplicity and homely feeling were well suited to Goldsmith’s style and were warmly received by the public and press. It maintained its popularity into the twentieth century and was reissued twice by Van Voorst (1848, 1855) and several more times by other publishers in London, Boston, and New York. Mulready translated three of his illustrations into oils for exhibition (one currently at the V&A); two additional designs reached the stage of oil sketches. The Drawings were engraved for J Van Voorst’s 1843 edition of The Vicar of Wakefield. 23 drawings, 9 proof prints and 2 sheets autographed MS., drawn 1840-43 The collection is made up of 20 drawings for the book and prints for: Chapter 1, with pencil corrections and many notes by Mulready. Chapter II, similarly corrected by notes. Chapter III, three drawings and no print. Chapter IV, two drawings. Chapter V, one drawing. Chapter VI, two prints and two drawings. Chapter VII, one drawing. Chapter VIII, two drawings. Chapter IX, one drawing. Chapter X, one drawing. Chapter XI, one drawing. Chapter XII nil. Chapter XIII, one drawing. Chapter XIV one print - Measuring the Heights with corrections in bodycolour and pencil and two drawings. Chapter XV one drawing Chapter XXI nil Chapter XVII nil Chapter XVIII one print Chapter XIX and XX, both nil Chapters XXI, XXII, XXIII and XXIV, all nil Chapter XXV one print Chapter XXVI one print Chapter XXVII one print with pencil, extra figures etc and notes, verso. Chapter XXVIII nil Chapter XXIX one print Chapters XXX, XXXI and XXXII - nil. 9 fine proof prints many with extra figures and or corrections in bodycolour and/or pencil. In addition, three sheets of paper written by the artist: a list of subjects illustrating each chapter, some of the chapters afford this or more subjects and the other chapters are deficient in subject. Verso, an agreement; five guineas for each drawing … The second sheet further comments regarding the work and dated with Mulready’s initials, W.M. March.1. 1840. The third sheet a further related list and some scraps. Pencil, ink and etching on paper c.1861-2 Literature: - Drawings and prints all for to Oliver Goldsmith The Vicar of Wakefield. 23 drawings (17 pencil on paper and 5 pen and ink on paper) and print (one etching), mounted or not contained in one leather file imscribed Mulready, along with copies of those images and copies of notes by the artist, plus copies of catalogues. Sheet 1 (5 ¼ x 6 3/8 inches, 13.3 x 16.3 centimetres): Drawing Pencil on paper, mounted Sketch of the right hand, holding a stick Image size: 3 7/8 x 5 ¼ inches, 10 x 13.5 centimetres Sheet 2 (7 ¼ x 7 inches, 18.5 x 17.7 centimetres): Drawing Pencil on paper, mounted Two sketches of the right hand, holding a stick Image size: 5 ¾ x 5 ½ inches, 14.5 x 14 centimetres Sheet 3 (9 1/8 x 13 ¾ inches, 23 x 35 centimetres): Drawing Pencil on paper, mounted Sketch of the back of a dog, lying Image size: 4 1/8 x 6 inches, 10.4 x 15.3 centimetres Sheet 4 (13 ¾ x 9 5/8 inches, 35 x 24.5 centimetres): Drawing Pencil and white charcoal on paper, mounted Sketch of a dog’s head from above Image size: 3 7/8 x 5 3/8 inches, 10 x 13.8 centimetres Sheet 5 (18 1/8 x 13 ¾ inches, 46 x 35 centimetres) with 5 drawings: 5a) upper left Pencil on paper, mounted Sketch of six persons, 4 adults (standing, man, profile/sitting man, front/standing woman, front/sitting man, back view), 2 children (climbing chair on the right, back view), drafted woman figure in the background Image size: 3 ¼ x 3 5/8 inches, 8.2 x 9.3 centimetres 5b) upper right Pencil on paper, mounted Right foreground > man carrying a woman in his arms Left middle ground > man with a hat, on his right a child/boy with a hat, running Background > group of three figures, two sketches of a horse Image size: 3 ¼ x 3 5/8 inches, 8.2 x 9.3 centimetres 5c) centre Pencil on paper, mounted Left > horse with two figures looking to the right > front view Centre > horse with three figures (one adult with a hat, two children) > front view Right > man standing, with hat and a horsewhip > side view Image size: 3 ½ x 3 ¼ inches, 9 x 8.3 centimetres 5d) lower left Pencil on paper, mounted Left > two sitting children (on the ground, side view) and four adults (three woman, one man sitting, one man standing and leaning against the wall Centre > a man, back view Right > five figures (two woman sitting, two woman and one man standing) Image size: 3 x 3 ¾ inches, 7.8 x 9.5 centimetres 5e) lower right Pencil on paper, mounted Sketch of seven figures sitting on a table (three women, four men) Image size: 3 x 3 ¾ inches, 7.8 x 9.5 centimetres Sheet 6 (18 1/8 x 13 ¾ inches, 46 x 35 centimetres) with 4 drawings: 6a) upper left Pencil on paper, mounted Foreground > two children, one is playing with a cat Middle ground > a man sitting on a table with glasses on his forehead, a woman on his left and a boy (?) on his right looking over his shoulder Background > two woman, standing Image size: 3 ½ x 3 inches, 9 x 7.8 centimetres 6b) upper right Pencil on paper, mounted Sketch of three figures and a head with a hat (in the back ground) > a grieving woman, man holding her on her hips, child pulling her skirt Image size: 3 ½ x 3 inches, 9 x 7.8 centimetres 6c) lower left Pencil on paper, mounted Sketch of eight sitting figures sitting on the ground, outside > centre > man with a hat> Chapter 8 Dining in the field? Image size: 3 ½ x 3 inches, 9 x 7.8 centimetres 6d) lower right Pencil on paper, mounted Sketch of a man and a woman, standing front view, both with a hat, woman is holding a long stick, two other figures in the background > Chapter 6: Mr. Burchell assisting Sophia Image size: 3 ½ x 3 inches, 9 x 7.8 centimetres Sheet 7 (18 1/8 x 13 ¾ inches, 46 x 35 centimetres) > one etching, two drawings: 7a) upper centre Engraving, heightened with gouache and watercolor > theme for Chapter XIV Measuring for heights Image size: 4 ½ x 3 ¾ inches, 11.5 x 9.5 centimetres 7b) lower left Pencil on brown paper, mounted Sketch for Measuring for heights Image size: 3 ¾ x 3 ¼ inches, 9.5 x 8.3 centimetres 7c) lower right Pencil on paper, mounted Sketch for Measuring for heights Image size: 3 ¾ x 3 ¼ inches, 9.5 x 8.3 centimetres Sheet 8 (18 1/8 x 13 ¾ inches, 46 x 35 centimetres) > 3 drawings 8a) top Collage, brown ink on grey paper & black ink on paper, mounted Image size: 2 ¾ x 3 3/8 inches, 7 x 8.5 centimetres 8b) middle Ink on paper, mounted Foreground > figure back view Middle ground > man carrying a woman in his arms Background > sketched figures sitting on a horse Image size: 2 5/8 x 4 1/8 inches, 6.5 x 10.5 centimetres 8c) bottom Collage, ink on paper, mounted Foreground > man carrying a woman in his arms Middle ground left > man with a hat, on his right a child/boy with a hat, running Background > horse carriage with figures > in the water (?) Image size: 2 ¾ x 3 3/8 inches, 7 x 8.5 centimetres Sheet 9 (18 1/8 x 13 ¾ inches, 46 x 35 centimetres) > 4 drawings 9a) upper left Pencil and ink on paper, mounted Sketch of two children’s, one adult sitting on a chair > back view Image size: 3 3/8 x 2 7/8 inches, 8.5 x 7.3 centimetres 9b) upper right Pencil and ink on paper, mounted Sketch of a man and a woman, standing front view, both with a hat, woman is holding a long stick, other sketched figures in the background Chapter 6: Mr. Burchell assisting Sophia Image size: 3 3/8 x 2 7/8 inches, 8.5 x 7.3 centimetres 9c) lower left Pencil on brown paper, mounted Foreground left > group of two standing waving, one kneeling figure lacing a shoe, one child with hat waving Background right > sketch of a man sitting on a horse > back view Middle ground right > one waving child > back view Image size: 3 3/8 x 3 inches, 8.5 x 7.5 centimetres 9d) lower right Pencil on paper, mounted Group of sitting figures sitting on the ground, outside > centre > man with a hat > Chapter 8 Dining in the field? Image size: 3 3/8 x 3 inches, 8.5 x 7.5 centimetres Etching originals Chapter 1 3 figures Sheet size: 15 x 16.5 cm Etching size: 11 x 9.5 cm Chapter 2 2 figures Sheet size: 15 x 9 cm Etching size: 10.5 x 9.4 cm Chapter 6 a 2 figures Sheet size: 18.5 x 14 cm Etching size: 11 x 9.5 cm Chapter 6 b 2 figures Sheet size: 19 x 14.5 cm Etching size: 11 x 9.5 cm Chapter 18 8 figures Sheet size: 15 x 17.6 cm Etching size: 10 x 12 cm Chapter 25 10 figures Sheet size: 19.8 x 16.5 cm Etching size: 12 x 11 cm Chapter 26 6 foreground figures, plus background Sheet size: 16 x 21 cm Etching size: 10 x 15 cm Chapter 27 5 foreground figures, plus background Sheet size: 10.2 x 12.5 cm Etching size: 10.2 x 12.5 cm Chapter 29 15 figures Sheet size: 16.6 x 20.5 cm Etching size: 11 x 12 cm
Oliver Goldsmith, The Vicar of Wakefield, London 1844 Kathryn Moore Heleniak, William Mulready, Yale University Press 1980