Mr Kemble as Cato
Print
17th December 1891 (published)
17th December 1891 (published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Joseph Addison’s play Cato, a Tragedy, about the Roman soldier and senator Marcus Porcius Cato was written in 1712 and originally produced at Drury Lane Theatre in April 1713, starring Barton Booth as Cato. John Philip Kemble (1757-1823) first played the part there on 28th April 1784, and again on 15th November the same year, a year after his first appearance at Drury Lane as Hamlet. When he was manager and a shareholder of Covent Garden Theatre, he played Cato in a revival there on 26th January 1811, a further sixteen times that season, and five the next. His success in the role was immortalised in 1812 by the monumental painting by Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), now in the National Portrait Gallery, showing Kemble in costume for the role.
When Macready saw him act the role Covent Garden on 25th October 1816 he wrote that: 'imagination could not supply a grander or more noble presence'. Kemble reappeared as Cato at Covent Garden in May and June 1817, choosing it as one of his parts for his final season. He retired from the stage on 23rd June, his last part being another legendary Roman leader, Coriolanus.
When Macready saw him act the role Covent Garden on 25th October 1816 he wrote that: 'imagination could not supply a grander or more noble presence'. Kemble reappeared as Cato at Covent Garden in May and June 1817, choosing it as one of his parts for his final season. He retired from the stage on 23rd June, his last part being another legendary Roman leader, Coriolanus.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Mr Kemble as Cato (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Engraving, printed ink on paper |
| Brief description | John Philip Kemble (1757-1824) in the title role of Joseph Addison's play Cato, a Tragedy. Engraving by Philip Audinet (1766-1837) after a drawing by Richard Westall (1765-1836) Published 25th June 1791 in Bell's British Theatre, volume III. Harry Beard Collection |
| Physical description | Line engraving of John Philip Kemble wearing a Roman toga and a large cloak, standing in front of a classical building, his right hand extended, his left hand on his breast. Published with the caption 'Mr. Kemble as Cato' and the line from his role: 'Presumptuous Man! The gods take care of Cato.' |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Literary reference | Cato |
| Summary | Joseph Addison’s play Cato, a Tragedy, about the Roman soldier and senator Marcus Porcius Cato was written in 1712 and originally produced at Drury Lane Theatre in April 1713, starring Barton Booth as Cato. John Philip Kemble (1757-1823) first played the part there on 28th April 1784, and again on 15th November the same year, a year after his first appearance at Drury Lane as Hamlet. When he was manager and a shareholder of Covent Garden Theatre, he played Cato in a revival there on 26th January 1811, a further sixteen times that season, and five the next. His success in the role was immortalised in 1812 by the monumental painting by Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), now in the National Portrait Gallery, showing Kemble in costume for the role. When Macready saw him act the role Covent Garden on 25th October 1816 he wrote that: 'imagination could not supply a grander or more noble presence'. Kemble reappeared as Cato at Covent Garden in May and June 1817, choosing it as one of his parts for his final season. He retired from the stage on 23rd June, his last part being another legendary Roman leader, Coriolanus. |
| Associated objects |
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| Other number | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1021-2013 |
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| Record created | March 14, 2013 |
| Record URL |
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