Edmund Kean as Richard III 1809 - 1819

This hand-colored etching, "Edmund Kean as Richard III", by George Cruikshank, is a portrait of the famous actor Edmund Kean in a theatrical pose, portraying Shakespeare's Richard III. Kean's dramatic style, characterized by exaggerated movements and emotional intensity, was celebrated by audiences of the time and captured by Cruikshank's meticulous detail. This artwork showcases the influence of theater on visual arts and provides a glimpse into the popular culture of early 19th-century Britain.