Marvell’s ‘Last Instructions to a Painter’

1. Marvell’s ‘Last Instructions to a Painter’

2. Battle of Lowestoft

3. Edmund Waller, Instructions to a Painter (1664)

4. . A Prospective of the Naval Triumph of the Venetians (1658) • Waller contributed commendatory verses to a translation, by his friend Sir Thomas Higgons, of the Italian poet Giovanni Francesco Busenello's poem (addressed to the painter PietroLiberi) in celebration of a Venetian victory over the Turkish fleet of Crete in 1655

5. Edmund Waller 1606-1681

6. Edmund Waller, Instructions to a Painter • FOR THE DRAWING OF THE POSTURE AND PROGRESS OF HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES AT SEA, UNDER THE COMMAND OF HIS HIGHNESS-ROYAL; TOGETHER WITH THE BATTLE AND VICTORY OBTAINED OVER THE DUTCH, JUNE 3, 1665.

7. Edmund Waller’s Efforts for Cromwell • A Panegyrick to My Lord Protector, of the present greatness and joynt interest of His Highness, and this nation (written in 1652, published in 1655) • Upon the Late Storme and of the death of His Highnesse ensuing the same, by Mr. Waller (1658)

8. First draw the sea, that portion which between 2   The greater world and this of ours is seen; 3   Here place the British, there the Holland fleet, 4   Vast floating armies! both prepared to meet. 5   Draw the whole world, expecting who should reign, 6   After this combat, o'er the conquered main. 7   Make Heaven concerned, and an unusual star 8   Declare the importance of the approaching war. 9   Make the sea shine with gallantry, and all 10   The English youth flock to their Admiral, 11   The valiant Duke! whose early deeds abroad, 12   Such rage in fight, and art in conduct showed. 13   His bright sword now a dearer interest draws, 14   His brother's glory, and his country's cause.

9. 299   Then draw the parliament, the nobles met, 300   And our great monarch high above them set; 301   Like young Augustus let his image be, 302   Triumphing for that victory at sea, 303   Where Egypt's Queen, and Eastern Kings o'erthrown, 304   Made the possession of the world his own. 305   Last draw the Commons at his royal feet, 306   Pouring out treasure to supply his fleet; 307   They vow with lives and fortunes to maintain 308   Their King's eternal title to the main; 309   And with a present to the Duke, approve 310   His valour, conduct, and his country's love.

11. To the King, upon His Majesties happy return (1660)

12. Marvell’s life—1660s • I659-78 Marvell serves as M. P. for Hull. I660 Intervenes in Commons to save Milton. I663-65 Accompanies Earl of Carlisle as secretary on embassy to Russia, Sweden, and Denmark. I665 England provokes war with Holland. "The Second Advice to a Painter." I666 "The Third Advice to a Painter.""Clarendon's Housewarming." I667 "The Last Instructions to a Painter." Downfall of Clarendon. War ends. I670 "On Blood's Stealing the Crown." I672 The Declaration of Indulgence. The Rehearsal Transpos'd.

13. Vermeer. The Artist In His Studio

15. London, 4 September 1667 After two sittings, now our Lady State To end her picture does the third time wait. But ere thou fall'st to work, first, Painter, see If'tben't too slight grown or too hard for thee. Canst thou paint without colors? Then 'tis right: For so we too without a fleet can fight.

16. Or canst thou daub a signpost, and that ill? ‘ Twill suit our great debauch and little skill. Or hast thou marked how antic masters limn The aly-roof with snuff of candle dim, Sketching in shady smoke prodigious tools? 'Twill serve this race of drunkards, pimps and fools.

17. Banksy

18. Marvell’s Restoration works-see Smith for many more which may be his • Last Instructions to a Painter, 1667 • The Loyal Scot 1667-73 • The Rehearsal Transpros’d(prose) 1672 • An Account of the Growth of Popery and Arbitrary Government in England (prose) 1677

19. Anne Hyde Duchess of York

20. Paint then again Her Highness to the life, Philosopher beyond Newcastle's wife. • She, nak'd, can Archimedes self put down, • For an experiment upon the crown, • She pérfected that engine, oft assayed, • How after childbirth to renew a maid, • And found how royal heirs might be matured In fewer months than mothers once endured

21. Barbara Palmer, Countess of Castlemaine

22. Paint Castlemaine in colours that will hold • (Her, not her picture, for she now grows old): • She through her lackey's drawers, as he ran, • Discerned love's cause and a new flame began. • Her wonted joys thenceforth and court she shuns, • And still within her mind the footman runs: • His brazen calves, his brawny thighs--the face • She slights--his feet shaped for a smoother race. • Poring within her glass she readjusts • Her looks, and oft-tried beauty now distrusts, • Fears lest he scorn a woman once assayed, • And now first wished she e'er had been a maid.

23. Pepys on Marvell, July 1st 1667 • Then informed ourselves where we might have some creame, and they guided us to one Goody Best's, a little out of the towne towards London road, and thither we went with the coach, and find it a mighty clean, plain house, and had a dish of very good creame to our liking, and so away presently very merry, and fell to reading of the several Advices to a Painter, which made us good sport, and indeed are very witty .

24. Queens Lane Coffee House, Oxford

25. The Second Dutch War

26. Ruyter the while, that had our ocean curbed, • Sailed now among our rivers undistrubed, Surveyed their crystal streams and banks so green • And beauties ere this never naked seen. • Through the vain sedge, the bashful nymphs he eyed: Bosoms, and all which from themselves they hide. • The sun much brighter, and the skies more clear, • He finds the air and all things sweeter here. • The sudden change, and such a tempting sight • Swells his old veins with fresh blood, fresh delight. • Like am'rous victors he begins to shave, • And his new face looks in the English wave.

27. But with her sailing weight, the Holland keel, • Snapping the brittle links, does thorough reel, • And to the rest the opened passage show; • Monck from the bank the dismal sight does view. • Our feathered gallants, which came down that day • To be spectators safe of the new play, • Leave him alone when first they hear the gun • (Cornb'ry the fleetest) and to London run. • Our seamen, whom no danger's shape could fright, • Unpaid, refuse to mount our ships for spite

28. George Monck, Duke of Albemarle • Often, dear Painter, have I sat and mused • Why he should still be 'n all adventures used, • ....... • Whether his valour they so much admire, • Or that for cowardice they all retire.

29. The Royal Charles

30. With present shame compared, his mind destraught. • Such from Euphrates' bank, a tigress fell • After the robber for her whelps doth yell; • But sees enraged the river flow between, Frustrate revenge and love, by loss more keen, At her own breast her useless claws does arm: She tears herself, since him she cannot harm.

32. Frances Stuart—the face of Britannia

33. Samuel Pepys on ‘Last Instructions’ • It “made my heart ake to read,” says Pepys ,“it being too sharp, and so true.”