David Garrick ('Mr Garrick in the Character of Richard III')

by Charles Grignion, by and after William Hogarth
line engraving, published 20 June 1746 (1741)
16 3/8 in. x 20 1/8 in. (416 mm x 512 mm) plate size; 18 1/8 in. x 22 1/4 in. (461 mm x 565 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D34378

Sitterback to top

David Garrick (1717-1779), Actor, playwright and theatre manager. Sitter associated with 56 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Charles Grignion (1721-1810), Engraver and draughtsman. Artist associated with 24 portraits.
William Hogarth (1697-1764), Painter and engraver. Artist associated with 128 portraits, Sitter associated with 19 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Garrick was the first actor to seriously harness the power of portraiture. Collaborating with many leading artists of the day he helped to create a new genre of portraiture that is so full of drama you feel as if you have a front row seat. The portrait of Garrick as Richard III, trembling with fear on the eve of the battle of Bosworth, shows that William Hogarth also understood how the theatrical experience could be exploited on canvas. When reproduced as engravings, such affordable portraiture advanced both artist and actor's fame and celebrity.

Related worksback to top

NPG D34381: David Garrick ('Mr Garrick in the Character of Richard III') (based on same portrait)
NPG D8363: David Garrick as Richard III (based on same portrait)

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Face of Britain: Fame (14 September 2015 - 4 January 2016)

Portrait setback to top

Macdonnell Collection

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1746back to top

Current affairs

Jacobites are defeated by the Duke of Cumberland and his forces at the Battle of Culloden; the last battle to take place on British soil. Bonnie Prince Charlie escapes to France with the help of Flora MacDonald. His supporters the Earl of Kilmarnock and Lord Balmerino are beheaded.
Dress Act bans Tartan and Highland dress.

Art and science

Scottish physician William Hunter begins his public lectures on anatomy.
Italian artist Giovanni Antonio Canal, better known as Canaletto, arrives in England, where he remains until 1755.
Quaker Minister and pharmacist William Cookworthy discovers kaolin or china clay in Cornwall and devises a way of making porcelain, which was previously imported from China.

International

War of the Austrian Succession: French forces led by Joseph François Dupleix capture the British East India Company's fort at Madras. One of its defenders, Robert Clive, makes his name by escaping his French captors.
Frederick II of Prussia begins building his summer palace of Sans Souci at Potsdam. His three victories in 1745 cause him to be known as Frederick the Great.
Philip V of Spain dies and is succeeded by Ferdinand VI.

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