Image 3 of 33

(Click on image to get enlarged view.)

Description: David Garrick (1717-79) as Hamlet at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (he first played Hamlet in 1742) in 1754. Hamlet, three-quarter length, standing, forward, and looking to right, recoiling from his first sight of the Ghost. Both hands, fingers extended (palms to front), are raised in astonishment in front of him. He is hatless and stands in the traditional pose with feet wide apart, the weight of the body on the rear foot as if he is starting back from the terrible sight in front of him. He wears black contemporary clothes (he continued throughout his career to appear in contemporary clothes, as was the custom. See, HAMLET THROUGH THE AGES, p. 23). Beyond the wall of the fortress can be discerned some ships.

Folger Act/Sc/L: 1.4.43
Arden Act/Sc/L: 1.4.39
TLN: 624.00

Artist: McArdell, James
Artist (Original work): Wilson, Benjamin
Date: 1754 (1 Nov)
Date (Original work):
Medium: Mezzotint after lost painting (signed and dated)
Size: 42 x 33 cms; 16 1/2 x 13 in
Actor: Garrick, David
Production: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 1754

Location: FSL. Art File G241 no. 94; HTC (Garrick, David, no. 202). Published by R.M. Laurie. HTC has other copies of different sizes (Garrick, David, nos. 203, 204).