Mrs Bardell from Pickwick Papers – Kyd’s Comic Character Print after Dickens
Description: This original late 19th-century chromolithograph depicts the forlorn Mrs Bardell, one of the memorable supporting characters from Charles Dickens’s The Pickwick Papers (1836–37). She appears in her customary housewife attire, clutching a voluminous apron and dabbing her eye with its corner in a theatrical display of sorrow and indignation—a humorous nod to the famous breach of promise trial that defines her character arc.
The artist is Joseph Clayton Clarke (1856–1937), better known by his pseudonym “Kyd.” He was celebrated for his vivid and often whimsical portraits of Dickensian characters. Published around 1889 by Raphael Tuck & Sons, this print belongs to the “Characters from Charles Dickens” series, which was printed in chromolithographic color and distributed in London, Paris, and New York.
Mrs Bardell, a widowed landlady, famously misinterprets a conversation with Mr Pickwick and sues him for breach of promise—a case that becomes one of the central comic episodes in the novel. Kyd’s portrayal captures her exaggerated pathos and self-righteous airs, a theatrical figure steeped in melodrama and social pretensions.
These prints were prized in their time by Victorian collectors and readers of Dickens, and today they are admired both for their artistic quality and literary resonance.
Condition report: Chromolithograph on cream wove paper. Some light foxing in the margins, but the image area remains clean with strong color and no creases or tears. Very good overall condition for age.
Framing tips: Pair with other Dickens characters from the Kyd series in matching antique-style frames. For this print, a black or dark wood frame with a warm cream or off-white mat would highlight the subtle palette and enhance the vintage theatrical charm.
Technique: Chromolithograph Artist: Joseph Clayton Clarke ("Kyd") Publisher: Raphael Tuck & Sons, London, Paris & New York Date: Circa 1889 Sheet size: approximately 36.5 x 26.5 cm Image size: approximately 27 x 18 cm
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