David Garrick as Richard III

1 portrait of David Garrick

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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David Garrick as Richard III

by John Dixon
mezzotint, published 1772
Reference Collection
NPG D17075

Sitterback to top

  • David Garrick (1717-1779), Actor, playwright and theatre manager. Sitter associated with 61 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • John Dixon (circa 1740-1811), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 47 portraits.

This portraitback to top

By the time that this print was published, the part of Richard III, in which Garrick had made his formal debut in 1741, was particularly associated with him. He reputedly admired it so much that he 'sent it to his select friends'.

Events of 1772back to top

Current affairs

Somersett's Case: William Murrary, 1st Earl of Mansfield, the Lord Chief Justice, rules that slaves could not be taken out of their country against their will after the case of American slave John Somersett is brought before him.
Royal Marriages Act requires the monarch's consent for the marriage of all members of the royal family.

Art and science

Chemist Daniel Rutherford demonstrates his method for isolating nitrogen from other gases.
Inventor James Watt produces the first micrometer to simply and accurately measure small distances. It is to prove crucial in the development of early machinery.
Britain's first trunk canal, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, opens for business.

International

Swiss pastor Johann Kaspar Lavater's Essays on Physiognomy revive the study of character through outward appearance.
Captain James Cook sets off, aboard HMS Resolution, on his second Pacific voyage.
First partition of Poland marks the start of Poland's disappearance as an independent state.

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