Figure of Henry Irving
Figure
1977
1977
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figure made by the property maker Martin Adams represents the Victorian actor-manager Henry Irving (1838-1905), who in 1895 was the first actor ever to receive a knighthood.
Queen Victoria loved the theatre and music, and regularly visited the theatre until the death of her husband Prince Albert in 1861. Irving's career took off ten years later when he starred as the vilanous Mathias in The Bells at the Lyceum Theatre, but Victoria would have followed his career with interest and invited him to perform The Bells at Sandringham on 26th April 1889, and Becket at Windsor Castle on 18th March 1893, of which Queen Victoria wrote in her journal, 18th March 1893: 'Irving acted well & with much dignity, but his enunciation is not very distinct, especially when he gets excited.' It is in this connection that this figure was made to be part of Royal Box, the V&A exhibition about royalty and the theatre in 1977, the Silver Jubilee of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. It was made to be displayed holding hands with the figure of Queen Victoria (S.620-2019).
Since making this figures, one of ten he made for the exhibition, Martin Adams went on to specialise in jewellery and jewellery-related props, making items including crowns, jewellery and sceptres for hundreds of films, television shows and theatrical productions.
Queen Victoria loved the theatre and music, and regularly visited the theatre until the death of her husband Prince Albert in 1861. Irving's career took off ten years later when he starred as the vilanous Mathias in The Bells at the Lyceum Theatre, but Victoria would have followed his career with interest and invited him to perform The Bells at Sandringham on 26th April 1889, and Becket at Windsor Castle on 18th March 1893, of which Queen Victoria wrote in her journal, 18th March 1893: 'Irving acted well & with much dignity, but his enunciation is not very distinct, especially when he gets excited.' It is in this connection that this figure was made to be part of Royal Box, the V&A exhibition about royalty and the theatre in 1977, the Silver Jubilee of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. It was made to be displayed holding hands with the figure of Queen Victoria (S.620-2019).
Since making this figures, one of ten he made for the exhibition, Martin Adams went on to specialise in jewellery and jewellery-related props, making items including crowns, jewellery and sceptres for hundreds of films, television shows and theatrical productions.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Figure of Henry Irving (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Galvanised wire armature on metal rod, modelled with DAX self-hardening modelling clay painted in acrylic paint base with gouache details. Yak and synthetic hair, mixed fabrics, beads, buttons and sequins, ribbon, lace and Copydex adhesive. |
| Brief description | Figure of Henry Irving (1838-1905), made for the exhibition Royal Box, V&A 1977. Mixed media, made by Martin Adams, 1977 |
| Physical description | Figure of Henry Irving (1838-1905) as Richard III mounted on a metal rod, wearing his costume of a black coat with fur trimming, grey tights, black shoes and a long-peaked hat. He extends his left hand to hold hands with the figure of Queen Victoria |
| Object history | This figure is one of ten Victorian and Edwardian personalities made by the property maker Martin Adams for the exhibition Royal Box, held at the V&A from 3rd May until 2nd October 1977. They were commissioned by Alexander Schouvaloff, Head of the Theatre Collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum, for the exhibition designed by the set designer Bruno Santini. Each was made on a two inch to one foot scale, and was mouted on a metal rod for display purposes, the rods planted in blocks of polystyrene foam. The set comprised King Edward VII, The Mikado, Marie Taglioni, Niccoló Paganini, Lily Langtry, Vesta Tilley, Dan Leno, and Henry Irving and Queen Victoria, made to hold hands |
| Association | |
| Summary | This figure made by the property maker Martin Adams represents the Victorian actor-manager Henry Irving (1838-1905), who in 1895 was the first actor ever to receive a knighthood. Queen Victoria loved the theatre and music, and regularly visited the theatre until the death of her husband Prince Albert in 1861. Irving's career took off ten years later when he starred as the vilanous Mathias in The Bells at the Lyceum Theatre, but Victoria would have followed his career with interest and invited him to perform The Bells at Sandringham on 26th April 1889, and Becket at Windsor Castle on 18th March 1893, of which Queen Victoria wrote in her journal, 18th March 1893: 'Irving acted well & with much dignity, but his enunciation is not very distinct, especially when he gets excited.' It is in this connection that this figure was made to be part of Royal Box, the V&A exhibition about royalty and the theatre in 1977, the Silver Jubilee of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. It was made to be displayed holding hands with the figure of Queen Victoria (S.620-2019). Since making this figures, one of ten he made for the exhibition, Martin Adams went on to specialise in jewellery and jewellery-related props, making items including crowns, jewellery and sceptres for hundreds of films, television shows and theatrical productions. |
| Associated object | S.622-2019 (Object) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.621-2019 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | September 30, 2019 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
