Portrait of an actor traditionally identified as Charles Macklin (1699-1797), full-length, in a brown coat and black hat, holding a jug and glass of wine

The son of a Dutch woodcarver, Samuel de Wilde was born in London in 1751. Aged fourteen he started an apprenticeship with his godfather, Samuel Haworth, who was also a woodcarver. He did not complete the full seven years, leaving in 1769, to enter the newly formed Royal Academy Schools.

At the Royal Academy he would have encountered his older contemporary Johann Zoffany, whose theatrical portraiture became a major influence on the young artist. He later became well known for his own theatrical portraits, which he exhibited almost every year between 1792 and 1821, at the Royal Academy exhibitions.

Charles Macklin's career spanned almost seventy years. he is best remembered for his portrayal of Shylock in 1741, and his influence in promoting a more naturalistic style of acting.