Charles Mathews
(1776-1835), ComedianRegency Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 22 portraits
Artist associated with 1 portrait
The comic actor Charles Mathews's distinctive appearance, lop-sided mouth and remarkable gift for mimicry ensured huge contemporary popularity. In a double-act with fellow comedian John Liston, Mathews played the quick-thinking wit to Liston's gullible fool. During the summer months he toured the provinces and began to develop the idea of a one-man show. This eventually became the famous Mr Mathews at Home which combined mimicry, story-telling, quick-change artistry, comic songs and improvisation. It was equally popular in England and the USA where he toured in 1822-3 and 1834.
by George Henry Harlow
pencil, 1814
NPG 3097a
by Samuel Joseph
plaster cast of bust, 1822
NPG 1710
by Rembrandt Peale
oil on canvas, circa 1822
NPG 1734
by Sir Edwin Landseer
pen and ink, circa 1830
NPG 3097(2)
by Sir Edwin Landseer
pencil, circa 1830
NPG 3097(3)
by Sir Edwin Landseer
sepia wash and red chalk, circa 1830
NPG 3097(4)
Unknown man, formerly known as Charles Mathews
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, circa 1840
NPG 1524
Charles Mathews ('Portrait of Himself and as Representing Four Extraordinary Characters')
by Henry Meyer, after George Henry Harlow
mezzotint, 1817
NPG D38319
Charles Mathews as the Old Scotch Lady in 'At Home'
by George Clint, published by William Cribb, after Alfred Edward Chalon
mezzotint, published 1 March 1819
NPG D3684
Charles Mathews as the Old Scotch Lady in 'At Home'
by George Clint, published by William Cribb, after Alfred Edward Chalon
mezzotint, published 1 March 1819
NPG D3685
Charles Mathews as the Old Scotch Lady in 'At Home'
by George Clint, after Alfred Edward Chalon
mezzotint, published 1819
NPG D3686
Charles Mathews ('Portrait of Himself and as Representing Four Extraordinary Characters')
by and published by Henry Meyer, after George Henry Harlow
stipple engraving, published 1 April 1819
NPG D5228
'Mr Mathews In His 'At Home' of 1821' (Charles Mathews)
by (Isaac) Robert Cruikshank
etching, circa 1821
NPG D5229
Charles Mathews as six characters in 'Stories'
printed by McQueen & Co, published by Colnaghi & Co, after Charles Mathews
hand-coloured lithograph, published 6 April 1822
NPG D38320
by William Thomas Fry, published by Sherwood & Co, probably after Thomas Charles Wageman
engraving, published 1825
NPG D38605
by Charles Turner, published by Colnaghi, Son & Co, after James Lonsdale
mezzotint, published 1 November 1826
NPG D38315
by Charles Turner, published by Colnaghi, Son & Co, after James Lonsdale
mezzotint, published 1 November 1826
NPG D38316
by Charles Turner, published by Colnaghi, Son & Co, after James Lonsdale
mezzotint, published 1 November 1826
NPG D38317
by Charles Turner, published by Colnaghi, Son & Co, after James Lonsdale
mezzotint, published 1 November 1826
NPG D38318
by Charles Turner, published by Colnaghi, Son & Co, after James Lonsdale
mezzotint, published 1 November 1826
NPG D3683
by Charles Turner, published by Colnaghi, Son & Co, after James Lonsdale
mezzotint, published 1 November 1826
NPG D18709
Charles Mathews ('Studying four of his most celebrated Characters')
by William Greatbach, published by Richard Bentley, after George Henry Harlow
line engraving, published 1838
NPG D5227
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