Comemorative print for Robert Wilks, who died in 1733. Together with Colley Cibber and Thomas Doggett, Wilks was well-known for running the Drury Lane Theatre between 1710 and 1733.
Not in British Museum?
Sir Harry Wildair is a character from George Farquhar's play The Constant Couple.
Subject: Theatre.
The artist is probably the same James Smith who engraved portraits of the English King in 1733.
Under the design 2 columns of verse are inscribed: "To copy Nature by the nicest Rules, / Describe the Hero, or delineate Fools; / In ev'ry Character to charm the Age, / None WILKS excell'd that ever trod the Stage. / With graceful Ease through ev'ry Scene he shone, / And Nature blush'd to See her self outdone. / Sir Harry Wildair, when by him display'd / Each Nymph no longer wish to be a Maid. / Whom shall we find to act that taking Part, / With so much Freedom, still disguising Art! / Since on the Stage we WILKS no more must see, / Sir Harry now may trip to Jubilee".
Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.
Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.
Robert Wilks Esqr. in the character of Sr. Harry Wildair / Jas. Smith Del. et Sculp.
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James Smith
Robert Wilks Esqr. in the character of Sr. Harry Wildair / Jas. Smith Del. et Sculp.
[London] : Sold by B Dickinson at Inigo Jones's head against Exeter Change in the Strand Price 6d, [1733]
Peel 0278
Published:
[London] : Sold by B Dickinson at Inigo Jones's head against Exeter Change in the Strand. Price 6.d, [1733].
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