Love Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare

For over 20 years, an inherited first edition (1957) sat upon a shelf in the den. I now share the gorgeous illustrations by Vera Bock, and a bit about her.

When my love swears she is made of truth,
I do believe her, though I know she lies ...

                                                                         - The Passionate Pilgrim

Vera’s illustrations follow the passage of the Sonnet or Poem that inspired her.

If he be dead, - O no, it cannot be ...

                                                                                  - Venus and Adonis

Born in St. Petersburg, Vera Bock (1902 – 2006) fled the Russian Empire with her family. “Vera and her family caught the last train out of Russia before the Revolution started;” Via Siberia to China, then Japan, they arrived in San Francisco in 1917.

And nothing 'gainst Time's sycthe can make defence
Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.

                                                                                    - Sonnet XII

Vera’s mother was a Russian concert pianist, her father an American banker.

Not Marble, nor the gilded monuments
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme ...

                                                                                - Sonnet LV

Living in London and Paris from 1919 to 1921, Vera trained in woodcutting, manuscript illumination, printing and photogravure. This added to her training in painting and drawing. From 1922 through 1923 she appears to have trained in Switzerland.

Tired with all these, from these I would be gone,
Save that, to die, I leave my love alone.

                                                 - Sonnet LXVI

Vera’s 1924 passport application and the 1925 New York State Census stated her occupation was artist, no longer student.

Love's not time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come ...

                                                                              - Sonnet CXVI

From the early 1930’s, when she illustrated Depression Era posters, into the 1960’s when she illustrated for many magazines, newspapers and books, Vera was in demand and very busy. In the 1970’s and on, she continued on a slower pace, illustrating books.

Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty,
        Youth's a stuff will nor endure.

                                                        - Twelfth Night

Circa 1973 (perhaps later) Vera married her late sister’s husband, George H. Kaestlin, who died in 1981. Surviving him by 25 years, she passed away at 104 years of age.

But, ah, who ever shunn'd by precedent
The destined ill she must herself assay?

                                                             - A Lover's Complaint

All drawings ©️ Estate of Vera Bock

In 2016 The last surviving member of the Bock family, Alice Tischler (niece), donated a large collection of Vera’s original book illustrations, and more, to the Farnsworth Art Museum.

Photos of drawings from Love Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare in this post are ©️ Resa McConaghy.

Research Links

A Picryl quickie on Vera Bock

Bob Forrest writes a detailed, fascinating and credibly researched article on Vera Bock.

According to Bob Forrest Vera loved cats, big time. She dedicated the pictures in the children’s book below.

“To My Cat Serka, who, with all the dignity of his eighteen and one half years, so graciously, sometimes, consented to pose for them – the pictures in this book are respectfully dedicated.”

“It is signed “V.B.” and has a paw–print below it.”