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Print Collection
Pryde, James, born 1869 - died 1941 - Enlarge image
Print Collection
- Object:
Portraits
- Date:
1906 (published)
- Artist/Maker:
Pryde, James, born 1869 - died 1941 (artist)
- Museum number:
S.554-1980
- Gallery location:
In Storage
This full length image of Henry Irving (1838-1905) was reproduced from an original watercolour in memory of the actor, the year after he died. The mount is signed by the artist who painted the image, James Pryde (1869-1941).
Painted in a very restriced pallete of greys, whites and blacks it shows Henry Irving in the role of Dubosc in The Lyons Mail a play in which the plot centres upon a resemblance between the two characters Dubosc (a criminal who heads a gang of thieves) and Lesurques (a French Gentleman) who is accused of Dubosc's crimes. Irving played both parts in his production of the play which was written by Charles Reade and performed in circa 1883.
As Ellen Terry records in her autobiography The Story of My Life Irving did not rely on make up to distinguish between the two roles but instead used body language and facial expression.
