David Garrick as Richard III (Shakespeare, King Richard III, Act 5, Scene 8)

David Garrick|William Shakespeare|Samuel William Reynolds, the elder|Nathaniel Dance-Holland|P. & D. Colnaghi & Co.

1825 · Mezzotint; fragment of working proof; before first state · Drawings and Prints

This fragmentary image records Reynolds's work on a mezzotint that portrays the actor David Garrick as Richard III at Bosworth Field. Engaged in his final battle, the king's rank is indicated by components of the Order of the Garter--St. George fighting the dragon hanging about his neck, and the star emblazoned on his coat. The print is based on Nathaniel Dance-Holland's painting, now at the Town Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon (see 53.600.1843 for John Dixon's print of the full composition).

Artist

David Garrick|William Shakespeare|Samuel William Reynolds, the elder|Nathaniel Dance-Holland|P. & D. Colnaghi & Co.

Date

1825

Medium

Mezzotint; fragment of working proof; before first state

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917