Banquet Scene from Macbeth
Maker
George Romney
(British (English), 1734-1802)
Datecirca 1800
MediumPencil and wash on laid paper
Dimensions13 1/4 x 19 3/4 in. (33.7 x 50.2 cm)
Framed: 21-1/4 x 27-3/4 x 7/8 in. (53.9 x 70.5 x 2.2 cm)
Framed: 21-1/4 x 27-3/4 x 7/8 in. (53.9 x 70.5 x 2.2 cm)
Credit LinePurchase, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Davidson
Object number1976.71
Object TypeDrawings
On View
Not on viewTwo of George Romney’s primary interests were the theater and the supernatural. Both converge in this drawing of the banquet scene in Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth (act III, scene 4). Macbeth has been crowned King of Scotland, but after arranging the murder of Banquo, he is beset by fears. While hosting a banquet for a gathering of lords, he believes he sees Banquo’s ghost come to take his place at the table. However, the apparition remains invisible to everyone else, including Lady Macbeth. Terrified, Macbeth begs the ghost to quit his sight:
“Let the earth hide thee! / Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold, / Thou hast no speculation in those eyes / Which thou dost glare with.”
To evoke Macbeth’s terror-struck state of mind, the artist shows him recoiling with arm upraised as Lady Macbeth restrains him. Romney filled whole sketchbooks with studies from Macbeth that highlighted his fascination with witchcraft and madness.
“Let the earth hide thee! / Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold, / Thou hast no speculation in those eyes / Which thou dost glare with.”
To evoke Macbeth’s terror-struck state of mind, the artist shows him recoiling with arm upraised as Lady Macbeth restrains him. Romney filled whole sketchbooks with studies from Macbeth that highlighted his fascination with witchcraft and madness.
