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Henry Irving as Dubosc

Artist Edward Gordon Craig (Stevenage, England, 1872 - 1966)

SitterSitter is Henry Irving (Keinton Mandeville, Somerset, England, 1838 - 1905)

Date1924

Mediumwoodcut on paper

ClassificationsPrints

DimensionsPlate Size: Height: 13.4 cm, Width: 12.2 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1979 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG000253

Keywords

Portrait

About MeThe famous actor-manager Sir Henry Irving (John Henry Brodribb) (1838-1905), first achieved success on the London stage in the 1860s and had a long and successful theatrical association with Ellen Terry. He played many Shakespearean roles, establishing his reputation as a tragedian with his Hamlet at the Lyceum in 1874.
His acting style was controversial but captivated his audiences. Irving was also a famed theatrical manager and organized several American and Canadian tours. He received many honours and was the first actor to be knighted. He is depicted here in the role of Dubosc in Charles Reade's play 'The Lyons Mail'. James Pryde painted the same subject (National Portrait Gallery, London).

Edward Gordon Craig was Irving's godson. A scene designer, producer and actor and the son of the famous actress Ellen Terry, Gordon Craig began acting with Henry Irving's Lyceum company (1885–97). Feeling that the realism in vogue was too limiting, he turned to scene design and developed new theories. He strove for the poetic and suggestive in his designs in order to capture the essential spirit of the play. His ideas gave new freedom to scene design, although many were impractical in execution.