Theatre Royal Covent Garden under the management of Madame Vestris
Description:
Caption title., A playbill., Classed as a collection of playbills for productions of Horace Walpole's Castle of Otranto., and Sheet torn in half at the center fold.
The profile of an actor in the role of a Spanish nobleman bears a strong resemblance to that of David Garrick, in costume on stage looking left, arm raised in a dramatic gesture. Garrick's rule over the English stage was absolute for over thirty years. He went to London with Dr. Johnson in 1737, and by 1741 had progressed to his famous portrayal of Richard III, which made his reputation. Garrick was accomplished in seventeen Shakespearian roles and was also a gifted playwright and producer
Alternative Title:
Shadow box framed depiction David Garrick on stage
Description:
One of a pair of shadowboxes. The other box was titled in the 2005 Christie's appraisal: A shadowbox framed depiction of two actors in performance. and Provenance from a label affixed to the top of one of a pair of boxes, in Mrs. Lewis hand.
The dancer wearing a Roman toga is perhaps David Garrick, with Mrs. Siddons accompanying him on the lute. In his imaginary journey through time, Three tours through London in the years 1748, 1776, 1797 (New Haven, 1941), Wilmarth S. Lewis 'goes' to the London theatre of 1776 where "Garrick still requires that those playing a scene with him shall turn their backs to the audience when addresssing him so that there will be no question whatever of its attention being diverted from him. Failure to observe this rule ... caused young Mrs. Siddons to fall into disfavour and contributed to her dismissal from the company."
Alternative Title:
Shadow box framed depiction two actors in performance
Description:
One of a pair of shadowboxes. The other box is titled: A shadowbox framed depiction David Garrick on stage. and Provenance from a label affixed to the top of one of a pair of boxes, in Mrs. Lewis hand.
Subject (Name):
Garrick, David, 1717-1779. and Siddons, Sarah, 1755-1831.
