Drawing

Watercolour drawing showing actor/manager Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) on the deck of a ship. The actress Dame Ellen Terry (1847-1928) is shown in the background, kneeling imploringly at the feet of the ship's captain. The drawing has been signed by the artist, 'Hytho'.

Henry Irving engaged Ellen Terry as his leading lady at the Lyceum Theatre in 1878. Their on-stage partnership endured for some 22 years and established them as two of the leading performers of the late 19th century.