"Off, off, you lendings–Come unbutton here" (Shakespeare, King Lear, Act 3, Scene 4) 1793

This 1793 engraving by William Sharp depicts a dramatic scene from Shakespeare's *King Lear*. The title "Off, off, you lendings–Come unbutton here" is a direct quote from Act 3, Scene 4 of the play, where Lear, stripped of his clothes and authority, is driven mad by his daughters' betrayal. The artwork portrays Lear, clothed in rags, being torn from his cloak by a figure, likely representing the storm and chaos that has engulfed him. The engraving captures the intensity of the moment, showcasing both Lear's physical and mental anguish, and serves as a powerful visual representation of the themes of betrayal, loss, and madness explored in Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece.