George Perfect Harding (1781-1853) - Portrait of the English...

Hammer

£440

George Perfect Harding (1781-1853) - Portrait of the English Actor, Playwright and Theatre Manager David Garrick three-quarter length , wearing a grey jacket and white cravat, with a Tricorn hat under his arm, holding a staff in his right hand, signed also extensively inscribed with a biography on the sitter, pencil and watercolour, 4.5" x 3.5"

** Provenance with J. & W. Vokins, Great Portland Street, London also sold by Sotheby's in their good English and continental portrait miniature sale on the 16th December 1974 lot 65

** David Garrick was the leading actor of the English stage from 1741 to 1776 and the manager of Drury Lane Theatre from 1747 to 1776, his domination of every department of the theatre is something unique in the history of the stage. A great deal of his fame must be due to his brilliant use of publicity, and used visual arts as a vehicle to capture his own more transient art, commissioning Zoffany 's first theatrical painting in 1762 (No. 21) and many others from him and other artists in subsequent years. He also encouraged the production of copies and engravings (39-42) which were dispersed on the continent as well as in England. Samuel Foote also used Zoffany to propagate his name (24-25) and a vogue for theatrical conversation pieces, many of the best of which are shown in this section of the exhibition.