John Philip Kemble

Sitterback to top

• John Philip Kemble (1757-1823), Actor. Sitter associated with 41 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), Portrait painter, collector and President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 682 portraits, Sitter in 25 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This is an example of a 'half-history painting' which explored the relationship between portraiture and history painting. It shows Kemble in the leading role in Addison's Cato performing a soliloquy related to Plato's Book on the Immortality of the Soul.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Essay by Richard Holmes, Thomas Lawrence Portraits, 2010 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 21 October 2010 - 23 January 2011), p. 51

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Thomas Lawrence Portraits (21 October 2010 - 23 January 2011)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Carpets and textiles
• Chairs
• In Character
• On display at the Gallery
• Recent acquisitions tour