John Liston as Van Dunder
Figurine
ca.1840 (made)
ca.1840 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is John Liston (1776-1846), the highest-paid comic actor on the English stage in his day, as Van Dunder in John Poole's comedy 'Twould Puzzle a Conjurer, first produced at London's Haymarket Theatre on 11 September 1824. It is based on a print published by Hodgson in 1826 which shows Liston as nine of his best-known characters. Pottery figures of seven of the characters are known to exist.
Despite a naturally serious and melancholy temperament, Liston achieved his greatest successes in farce, and particularly as the inquisitive Paul Pry, a role in which he was often depicted in paintings, drawings and figuines. Later comedians, including Toole, imitated his dress and manner in the role. He was the first comic actor to command a salary greater than a tragedian, earning between £60-£100 a week with Madame Vestris's company at the Olympic Theatre. He retired in 1837 after a career of over 30 years.
Despite a naturally serious and melancholy temperament, Liston achieved his greatest successes in farce, and particularly as the inquisitive Paul Pry, a role in which he was often depicted in paintings, drawings and figuines. Later comedians, including Toole, imitated his dress and manner in the role. He was the first comic actor to command a salary greater than a tragedian, earning between £60-£100 a week with Madame Vestris's company at the Olympic Theatre. He retired in 1837 after a career of over 30 years.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | John Liston as Van Dunder (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Moulded, painted and glazed earthenware |
| Brief description | Figurine of John Liston (1776-1846) as Van Dunder in John Poole's comedy 'Twould Puzzle a Conjuror, Haymarket Theatre, 11 September 1824. Earthenware, Enoch Wood & Sons, Staffordshire, ca.1840 |
| Physical description | Figurine of John Liston as Van Dunder standing on a rectangular white base with an integral column, and on the front the words: 'Read it indeed - that's very easily said, read it'. He is wearing a black jacket and breeches with an ochre rosette on each side of the breeches, a black conical hat with an ochre line around it, black shoes with ochre rosettes, and light blue stockings. He has grey-brown hair and is reading from a rolled parchment, holding it with both hands in front of him at waist height. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'FREETH / Pottery Co [?] / STAFFS' (There are two labels on the base, one illegible apart from the word 'Figure' , the second ovel, with a deckled edge and the words 'FREETH / Pottery Co [?] / STAFFS'.) |
| Credit line | Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996 |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This is John Liston (1776-1846), the highest-paid comic actor on the English stage in his day, as Van Dunder in John Poole's comedy 'Twould Puzzle a Conjurer, first produced at London's Haymarket Theatre on 11 September 1824. It is based on a print published by Hodgson in 1826 which shows Liston as nine of his best-known characters. Pottery figures of seven of the characters are known to exist. Despite a naturally serious and melancholy temperament, Liston achieved his greatest successes in farce, and particularly as the inquisitive Paul Pry, a role in which he was often depicted in paintings, drawings and figuines. Later comedians, including Toole, imitated his dress and manner in the role. He was the first comic actor to command a salary greater than a tragedian, earning between £60-£100 a week with Madame Vestris's company at the Olympic Theatre. He retired in 1837 after a career of over 30 years. |
| Associated objects |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1032-1996 |
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| Record created | October 7, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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