Not currently on display at the V&A

Sir Henry Irving as Hamlet

Print
ca.1883 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Print of the statue created by Edward Onslow Ford (1852-1901), showing the actor/manager Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) in the role of Hamlet, ca.1883.

Henry Irving (1838-1905) first played the title role of Hamlet by William Shakespeare in 1874. Produced under the management of H. L. Bateman, Irving brought a simplicity to the role, avoiding the contrived point-making and artifice of earlier actors. The new approach found an appreciative audience, and played for 200 nights consecutively. Irving revived the role four years later in a production of the play which inaugurated his management of the Lyceum Theatre, London, and his acting partnership with Ellen Terry (1847-1928), who played Ophelia. Irving was painted in the role by Edwin Longsden Long (1829-1891) in 1880 and a scultpure of the actor was created by Edward Onslow Ford (1852–1901) in 1883.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSir Henry Irving as Hamlet (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Engraving, printed ink on paper.
Brief description
Print of the statue created by Edward Onslow Ford (1852-1901), showing the actor/manager Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) in the role of Hamlet, ca.1883
Physical description
Print of the statue created by Edward Onslow Ford (1852-1901), showing the actor/manager Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) in the role of Hamlet.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.9cm
  • Width: 10.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
Transliteration
Credit line
Given by the British Theatre Museum Association
Subject depicted
Literary referenceHamlet
Summary
Print of the statue created by Edward Onslow Ford (1852-1901), showing the actor/manager Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) in the role of Hamlet, ca.1883.

Henry Irving (1838-1905) first played the title role of Hamlet by William Shakespeare in 1874. Produced under the management of H. L. Bateman, Irving brought a simplicity to the role, avoiding the contrived point-making and artifice of earlier actors. The new approach found an appreciative audience, and played for 200 nights consecutively. Irving revived the role four years later in a production of the play which inaugurated his management of the Lyceum Theatre, London, and his acting partnership with Ellen Terry (1847-1928), who played Ophelia. Irving was painted in the role by Edwin Longsden Long (1829-1891) in 1880 and a scultpure of the actor was created by Edward Onslow Ford (1852–1901) in 1883.
Collection
Accession number
S.3735-2013

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Record createdOctober 4, 2013
Record URL
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