John Henderson as Falstaff c. 1778 - 1780

"John Henderson as Falstaff" is a graphite drawing by George Romney from around 1778-1780. The drawing is a study for a larger portrait of the actor John Henderson in the role of Falstaff from Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I. This intimate study captures Henderson’s expressive face, his robust figure, and the theatrical energy of the character. It provides an interesting glimpse into Romney's artistic process and the popularity of Shakespearean theater in the 18th century.