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
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[London] : Sold by B Dickinson at Inigo Jones's head against Exeter Change in the Strand. Price 6.d, [1733].
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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".

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