David Garrick (1717-1779), Actor, playwright and theatre manager
Sitter associated with 55 portraits
David Garrick was born in Hereford but, like Dr Johnson, grew up in Lichfield. When Johnson opened his ill-fated school in 1735, Garrick was one of the few pupils, and the two men travelled to London together in March 1737. Garrick first acted on the London stage in 1741 and quickly became one of the most successful figures in British theatre. He was acclaimed for his naturalistic style of acting and his versatility, performing in both comic and tragic roles. Both as an actor and as manager of Drury Lane Theatre, he changed the face of theatrical performance. Throughout his life, he and Johnson remained friends although, at times, Johnson disliked Garrick's vanity and 'buffoonery'.
by Charles Spooner, published by Robert Sayer, after Benjamin Wilson
mezzotint, published 1761
NPG D14163
David Garrick ('Mr Garrick reciting the Ode...')
after Unknown artist
etching, circa 1764
NPG D7658
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 2 April 1769 (1766-1769)
NPG D34384
by Valentine Green, published by John Boydell, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, published 2 April 1769 (1766-1769)
NPG D34385
by Unknown artist
impression of seal, (late 18th century)
NPG D7035
David Garrick; William Shakespeare
by J. Miller
stipple engraving, late 18th century
NPG D20571
by John Dixon
mezzotint, published 1772
NPG D17075
by Thomas Watson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (circa 1775?)
NPG D2421
by Joseph Collyer the Younger, published by George Kearsley, after Thomas Gainsborough
line engraving, published 1 November 1776
NPG D27967
by Joseph Collyer the Younger, after Thomas Gainsborough
line engraving, published 1776
NPG D2743
by Joseph Collyer the Younger, after Thomas Gainsborough
line engraving, published 1776
NPG D2744
by Robert Laurie, printed for and published by J. Stevens, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, published 30 January 1779 (circa 1775?)
NPG D34374
David Garrick ('Nature & Genius introducing Garrick to the Temple of Shakespeare')
by and published by John Hamilton Mortimer
etching, published 21 April 1779
NPG D34375
by John Dixon, published by Robert Wilkinson, after Thomas Hudson
mezzotint, published 11 October 1779 (1761)
NPG D34386
after Robert Edge Pine
mezzotint, published 1779
NPG D2746
after Robert Edge Pine
mezzotint, published 1779
NPG D2747
after Robert Edge Pine
mezzotint, published 1779
NPG D2748
by James Caldwall, by S. Smith, after George Carter
line engraving, published 1783
NPG D18114
by Burnet Reading, published by William Richardson
stipple engraving, published 1785
NPG D27956
David Garrick; William Hogarth
by Barak Longmate
line engraving, early 19th century
NPG D2745
Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare, Twickenham, Surrey
Category
Literature, Journalism and Publishing
Theatre and Live Entertainment
Groups
Actors and actresses
Bluestocking circle
Johnson Literary Club
Playwrights and dramatists
Places
Herefordshire
London
