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David Garrick

(1717-1779), Actor, playwright and theatre manager

Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 61 portraits
Garrick was born in Hereford and grew up in Lichfield, Staffordshire. When Samuel Johnson opened his ill-fated school in 1735, Garrick was one of the few pupils. Perhaps recognising their mutual ambition, the two men travelled to London together in March 1737, taking turns to ride on their shared horse. Garrick first appeared on the London stage in 1741 and went on to achieve huge success as an actor, playwright and theatre manager, becoming the most celebrated theatrical personality of the eighteenth century. He was acclaimed for his naturalistic style and his versatility in both comic and tragic roles. He transformed what it meant to be an actor, no longer simply an entertainer but a pillar of British culture.

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David Garrick, after Louis François Roubiliac - NPG 707a

David Garrick

after Louis François Roubiliac
plaster painted terracotta, circa 1758
NPG 707a

David Garrick, by Thomas Watson, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG L269.B5.03

David Garrick

by Thomas Watson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (circa 1775?)
On display in Room 11 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L269.B5.03

Monument to David Garrick, by Thomas Letton, published by  Victor Marie Picot, and published by  John Harris, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG L269.B5.10

Monument to David Garrick

by Thomas Letton, published by Victor Marie Picot, and published by John Harris, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
stipple printed in red ink, published 23 May 1781
On display in Room 11 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L269.B5.10

'The Provok'd Wife' (David Garrick and two unknown women), published by John Bell - NPG L269.B8.20

'The Provok'd Wife' (David Garrick and two unknown women)

published by John Bell
etching, published in 'Bell's British Theatre' 16th October 1794
On display in Room 11 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L269.B8.20

David Garrick, by Thomas Worlidge - NPG D19381

David Garrick

by Thomas Worlidge
etching, circa 1740-1766
NPG D19381

David Garrick, by and published by J. Wood, after  Arthur Pond - NPG D42976

David Garrick

by and published by J. Wood, after Arthur Pond
line engraving, published 29 April 1745
NPG D42976

David Garrick, by and published by J. Wood, after  Arthur Pond - NPG D19067

David Garrick

by and published by J. Wood, after Arthur Pond
line engraving, published 29 April 1745
NPG D19067

David Garrick ('Mr Garrick in the Character of Richard III'), by Charles Grignion, by and after  William Hogarth - NPG D34378

David Garrick ('Mr Garrick in the Character of Richard III')

by Charles Grignion, by and after William Hogarth
line engraving, published 20 June 1746 (1741)
NPG D34378

David Garrick ('Mr Garrick in the Character of Richard III'), by Charles Grignion, by and after  William Hogarth - NPG D34381

David Garrick ('Mr Garrick in the Character of Richard III')

by Charles Grignion, by and after William Hogarth
line engraving, published 20 June 1746 (1741)
NPG D34381

David Garrick as Richard III, by T. Clerk, published by  Robert Scholey, after  William Hogarth - NPG D14116

David Garrick as Richard III

by T. Clerk, published by Robert Scholey, after William Hogarth
line engraving, (1746)
NPG D14116

David Garrick as Abel Drugger, published by John Payne - NPG D14183

David Garrick as Abel Drugger

published by John Payne
etching, published circa 1750-1775
NPG D14183

David Garrick, by and sold by James Macardell, after  Jean Etienne Liotard - NPG D34373

David Garrick

by and sold by James Macardell, after Jean Etienne Liotard
mezzotint, (1751)
NPG D34373

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