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 as Van Dunder in John Poole's comedy 'Twould Puzzle a Conjurer, Haymarket Theatre, 11 September 1824. Staffordshire, ca.1840 |
| Physical description | Figurine of John Liston as Van Dunder standing on a green patterned base with integral tree stump. He is wearing a turquoise green jacket, orange, yellow, grey and black checked knee-length breeches, orange stockings, black shoes with blue rosettes, a large white bow tie with mauve spots and knot, and a conical hat with a central rosette. He is reading a sheet held in both hands in front of him at waist height. |
| Dimensions |
|
| 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 |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1024-1996 |
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 | October 7, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
