Film + analysis of Dickens' dream painting by Robert William Bass

Film + analysis of Dickens' dream painting by Robert William Bass

Dickens's Dream, also known as "Memorial to Dickens", is a watercolor painting by the Victorian artist, engraver and illustrator, Robert William Buss (1804-1875). This watercolor shows Dickens in his study room in God's Hill neighborhood, and depicts his characters dozing off.

Robert William Bass (4 August 1804 – 26 February 1875) was a Victorian artist perhaps best known for painting Dickens' Dream. He was the father of Frances Bass, one of the pioneers of art education for girls.

Upon hearing of Dickens' death in June 1870, Bass was interested in attempting a watercolor called "Dickens' Dream," which now hangs in the Charles Dickens Museum in London. The painting depicts the author dozing in his study room at God's Hill God's Hill Peace, surrounded by many of the characters he had created. The table, chairs and background of the painting were exactly based on Dickens' empty chair. This painting was Bass's last attempt to depict Dickens's characters, and he modestly reproduced the images of the artists who succeeded him. However, before he could finish it, he died at his home at 14 Camden Street, London on 26 February 1875.

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