Mr. Henderson in the Character of Macbeth 1787

Curator: So, here we have John Jones's engraving after a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, "Mr. Henderson in the Character of Macbeth," created in 1787. First impression? Editor: Darkly dramatic. That contrast! It almost feels…theatrical, fitting since we’re capturing an actor. There’s a lot of tension packed into this grayscale world. Curator: It really does feel staged, doesn’t it? Reynolds was quite the master of portraiture, but also history painting, and in this case he’s conflating the two. What we see is the actor John Henderson, posed as Macbeth encountering the witches, a really potent moment from Shakespeare's play. It's now at the Met, so catch it on your next visit. Editor: Okay, so Macbeth—a man grappling with ambition and manipulated by external forces. It's interesting to consider how this performance, captured in ink, layers ideas of identity and influence, right? Henderson *becomes* Macbeth. And that vulnerability and turmoil are on full display here! Plus, the Witches in the background are so clearly "others," shrouded, pointing—quite a strong image. Curator: Precisely! Reynolds, along with other artists during this Neoclassical period, really emphasized moralizing narratives, and history paintings like this one allowed them to explore powerful human emotions and complex stories, almost like visual essays. I think Reynolds almost casts Henderson here in a classical heroic mold – but is he truly heroic or just ambitious to a fault? Editor: And whose stories get to be told as history, and who is positioned to benefit from these moralizing narratives? Even this theatrical gesture highlights how performance itself can reinforce, or perhaps even subvert, social hierarchies. Also, did Henderson *want* to be captured in this way? Is this *his* story, even a little? Curator: Intriguing. Henderson definitely made a name playing complex Shakespearean figures. Reynolds' work celebrates both art and theatre by capturing the energy of one great art through another, so these layers upon layers—delicious. Editor: Layers, for sure. And questions to ask around agency, representation, and the ongoing project of meaning-making whenever art and theatre collide. Thanks for this! Curator: And thank you for expanding how to look at the intersection of stage and life! A perfect reminder about art's power to provoke us.