Portrait of Charles Kemble (1775-1854), half-length, wearing a black coat and a white collar, with a green cloak over his left shoulder

Details

John Russell, R.A. (1745-1854)
Portrait of Charles Kemble (1775-1854), half-length, wearing a black coat and a white collar, with a green cloak over his left shoulder
with inscription 'Portrait of J. Kemble (actor)/by John Russell R.A. 1745-1806/pupil of Frances Cotes./represented in Museum and private collection.' (on the reverse)
oil on canvas
29½ x 24¼ in. (74.9 x 61.6 cm.)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis This lot is subject to Collection and Storage charges

Lot Essay

By the end of his life, the actor Charles Kemble (1775-1854) had performed in over eighty theatre productions. He began his acting career playing parts in country towns in the North of England. Later he moved to London where he had a successful run at Covent Garden, and in 1822, he was given a large share of the company's ownership and full management. This was to be a ruinous gift and he was accused of 'sacrificing the higher drama to melodrama and spectacle'. His daughter, Miss Fanny Kemble's popularity as an actress saved the company from bankruptcy. Kemble and his daughter performed all over the world, including a tour of America.

More from PORTRAITS, BRITISH AND VICTORIAN PAINTINGS

View All