.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Sold together with Richard Lane's Sixteen Portraits of Charles Kemble (London, 1840), and eleven volumes of John Philip Kemble's Promptbooks (ed. C.H. Shattuck, Charlottesville, Folger Shakespeare Library, 1974).
John Philip Kemble was the most celebrated actor in London at the time the present work was painted (1797). He was renowned for his tragic Shakespearian roles, particularly Hamlet and Coriolanus. He made his stage debut in London in 1783, but it was his role as Macbeth opposite his sister, Sarah Siddons, in 1785, that established his popularity. Kemble became manager of the Drury Lane Theatre, Covent Garden, in 1788, and moved to Covent Garden in 1803. Lawrence painted Kemble on many occasions throughout his career, and was intimately connected to the family of the actor. He painted Sarah Siddons and her two daughters, Sally and Maria, on several occasions.
In 1797, Lawrence believed himself to be in love, first with Sally, then Maria Siddons. Between 1798 and 1812, Lawrence painted four full-length pictures of Kemble, in different Shakespearian roles. These were not commissions, but painted for the prestige and dramatic effect accompanying Kemble's name.
John Philip Kemble was the most celebrated actor in London at the time the present work was painted (1797). He was renowned for his tragic Shakespearian roles, particularly Hamlet and Coriolanus. He made his stage debut in London in 1783, but it was his role as Macbeth opposite his sister, Sarah Siddons, in 1785, that established his popularity. Kemble became manager of the Drury Lane Theatre, Covent Garden, in 1788, and moved to Covent Garden in 1803. Lawrence painted Kemble on many occasions throughout his career, and was intimately connected to the family of the actor. He painted Sarah Siddons and her two daughters, Sally and Maria, on several occasions.
In 1797, Lawrence believed himself to be in love, first with Sally, then Maria Siddons. Between 1798 and 1812, Lawrence painted four full-length pictures of Kemble, in different Shakespearian roles. These were not commissions, but painted for the prestige and dramatic effect accompanying Kemble's name.