The Theatrical Atlas 1814

George Cruikshank created this print, "The Theatrical Atlas," in the early 19th century using etching and aquatint. Here, the actor John Philip Kemble, dressed as King John, bears the weight of the Covent Garden Theatre. Kemble stands upon a volume of Shakespeare, his sword inscribed with the names of theatrical luminaries. Such an Atlas figure recalls the Hellenic Titan, eternally burdened. This archetype appears throughout history, from ancient sculptures to Renaissance depictions, each time embodying endurance. The weight of the theatre itself, topped by a cherubic figure blowing trumpets, suggests the burdens of artistic endeavor and the inflated egos of the players. This comical assemblage reminds us of the cyclical nature of human folly and the heavy weight of tradition.