Edmund Kean as Richard III 1809 - 1819

Curator: This hand-colored etching offers us a glimpse of the actor Edmund Kean in the role of Richard III. It was created by George Cruikshank, likely between 1809 and 1819. Editor: Oh, the swagger! There's such an immediate sense of theatricality. Look at the diagonal lines, the bold colors – it really captures the drama, even a kind of chaotic energy. Curator: Absolutely. Cruikshank was a master of caricature. He captured Kean’s powerful, somewhat controversial, performances, and his image of Richard III was immediately recognizable. What makes this image so interesting is the intersection of celebrity, theatrical culture, and print media. Editor: I’m drawn to the costuming. The juxtaposition of the regal robe and that striped hosiery is visually jarring, almost cartoonish, which I find incredibly effective in conveying Richard’s duality - the king and the… well, the villain. It echoes that Shakespearean struggle, doesn’t it? A symbolic representation, if you will. Curator: Exactly. Theatre at this time wasn't just about elite entertainment; it became a battleground for class and political ideologies, reflected back by illustrations like these in everyday publications. Kean's portrayal broke from classical acting, and some felt, at the time, it was coarse. Editor: See, I find that tension fascinating! Kean becomes a symbol for change in performance and even social structure, which the artist underscores with visual tensions. I suppose in that era the symbol of an “ungentlemanly gentleman” would have hit hard, since class codes were taken more seriously. The awkward figure and posture, with its echoes of club foot, and yet royal regalia... amazing Curator: A great point! The image served a function then that persists, I believe; Cruikshank and others captured something of how theatrical performance was perceived and received. And indeed, his style influenced subsequent political cartoonists of the day as well. Editor: It feels right to consider an image that is on one level an advert, but also manages to capture potent cultural moments with enduring impact through dramatic symbolism. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, it invites us to consider how historical context influences the reading and uses of these artistic outputs and dramatic performances. A lot to digest.