John Philip Kemble
(1757-1823), ActorRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 46 portraits
Actor, theatre manager and playwright, John Philip Kemble was the oldest son of Roger Kemble, who managed a touring theatre company. He followed his sister Sarah Siddons to Drury Lane, where he first appeared as Hamlet in 1783. He played a wide range of characters and excelled in Shakespearian tragedy, often appearing opposite Siddons. Between 1788 and 1796 he was also actor-manager at Drury Lane under Richard Brinsley Sheridan until he and Siddons defected to Covent Garden Theatre where he became manager and part-owner. He wrote a number of plays and had a deep knowledge of drama and stagecraft. He retired in 1817 after playing the title role in Coriolanus.
by Silvester, after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1817
NPG D3463
John Philip Kemble as Richard III
possibly by Samuel De Wilde
pen and watercolour, 1817
NPG D3515
by John Rogers, published by Thomas Charles Wageman, after T & I Elvey
stipple and line engraving, published 1822
NPG D38633
by John Rogers, published by T & I Elvey, after Thomas Charles Wageman
stipple engraving, published 1822
NPG D38641
by Thomas Charles Wageman, published by Simpkin and Marshall, after Benjamin Holl
stipple engraving, published 1824
NPG D38670
by Charles Turner, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 1825
NPG D3367
by Charles Turner, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 1825
NPG D3368
by Charles Turner, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 1825
NPG D3369
by William Say, published by William Sams, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 1 February 1826
NPG D36813
by William Say, published by William Sams, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 1 February 1826
NPG D36814
John Philip Kemble as King John
by Richard James Lane, printed by Charles Joseph Hullmandel, published by Joseph Dickinson, after John Boaden
lithograph, published 1 October 1826
NPG D22315
John Philip Kemble as Coriolanus
by Richard James Lane, printed by Charles Joseph Hullmandel, published by Joseph Dickinson, after John Boaden
lithograph, published 1 October 1826
NPG D22316
by Richard James Lane, printed by Charles Joseph Hullmandel, published by Joseph Dickinson, after John Boaden
lithograph, published 1 October 1826
NPG D22317
John Philip Kemble as The Stranger
by Richard James Lane, printed by Charles Joseph Hullmandel, published by Joseph Dickinson, after John Boaden
lithograph, published 1 October 1826
NPG D22318
by Richard James Lane, printed by Charles Joseph Hullmandel, published by Joseph Dickinson, after John Boaden
lithograph, published 1 October 1826
NPG D22319
by Richard James Lane, printed by Charles Joseph Hullmandel, published by Joseph Dickinson, after John Boaden
lithograph, published 1 October 1826
NPG D22320
John Philip Kemble as Penruddock
by Richard James Lane, printed by Charles Joseph Hullmandel, published by Joseph Dickinson, after John Boaden
lithograph, published 1 October 1826
NPG D22321
by Richard James Lane, printed by Charles Joseph Hullmandel, published by Joseph Dickinson, after John Boaden
lithograph, published 1 October 1826
NPG D22314
John Philip Kemble as Rolla in 'Pizarro'
after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 1834
NPG D3402
by James Egan, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 1838 (1801)
NPG D3395
Related People
- Cecilia Combe (née Siddons) (niece)
- Adelaide Kemble (Mrs Sartoris) (niece)
- Charles Kemble (brother)
- Frances ('Fanny') Kemble (sister)
- Frances Anne ('Fanny') Kemble (niece)
- Henry Vincent James Kemble (nephew)
- Priscilla Kemble (née Hopkins) (wife)
- Roger Kemble (father)
- Stephen Kemble (brother)
- George John Siddons (nephew)
- Henry Siddons (nephew)
- Maria Siddons (niece)
- Sarah Martha ('Sally') Siddons (niece)
- Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) (sister)
- Elizabeth Whitlock (née Kemble) (sister)
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