Henry Irving as King Arthur
Drawing
early 20th Century (drawn)
early 20th Century (drawn)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Bernard Partridge (1861-1945) was a painter and illustrator who became the principal cartoonist of Punch magazine. He acted at the Lyceum in his youth, using the name Bernard Gould, and made many drawings of Irving, some which appeared in the theatre's souvenir programmes. His work has provided both a record of costumes and scenery and of the dramatic effect of Irving's performances.
This image shows the actor Henry Irving (1838-1905) in his 1895 adaptation of King Arthur. It was commissioned as a vehicle in which he could star with Ellen Terry as Guinevere, written by James Comyns Carr, and was performed on a spectacular scale, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
The sets, costumes and props were designed by Edward Burne-Jones, who had worked on numerous art works with an Arthurian theme, including paintings, murals and his stained-glass panels for Harden Grange, in Yorkshire. Comyns Carr asked Burne-Jones to design the production whilst the artist was working on his magnum opus, The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon.
This image shows the actor Henry Irving (1838-1905) in his 1895 adaptation of King Arthur. It was commissioned as a vehicle in which he could star with Ellen Terry as Guinevere, written by James Comyns Carr, and was performed on a spectacular scale, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
The sets, costumes and props were designed by Edward Burne-Jones, who had worked on numerous art works with an Arthurian theme, including paintings, murals and his stained-glass panels for Harden Grange, in Yorkshire. Comyns Carr asked Burne-Jones to design the production whilst the artist was working on his magnum opus, The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Henry Irving as King Arthur (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Charcoal, pencil and gouache on paper |
| Brief description | Drawing by Bernard Partridge of Henry Irving in the title role of King Arthur, early twentieth century. |
| Physical description | Full length portrait of Henry Irving in the title role of King Arthur. He is shown in profile standing in a stone columned passage. He is dressed in a full suit of armour with a polished breastplate over 'chain mail' and further pieces of armour on his forearms, legs and shoulders. His right hand (which is at hip level) rests on the hilt of his sword. The sketch is signed in bottom right hand corner. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Bernard Partridge' (Signature, bottom right hand corner) |
| Credit line | Gabrielle Enthoven Collection |
| Subject depicted | |
| Literary reference | King Arthur |
| Summary | Bernard Partridge (1861-1945) was a painter and illustrator who became the principal cartoonist of Punch magazine. He acted at the Lyceum in his youth, using the name Bernard Gould, and made many drawings of Irving, some which appeared in the theatre's souvenir programmes. His work has provided both a record of costumes and scenery and of the dramatic effect of Irving's performances. This image shows the actor Henry Irving (1838-1905) in his 1895 adaptation of King Arthur. It was commissioned as a vehicle in which he could star with Ellen Terry as Guinevere, written by James Comyns Carr, and was performed on a spectacular scale, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The sets, costumes and props were designed by Edward Burne-Jones, who had worked on numerous art works with an Arthurian theme, including paintings, murals and his stained-glass panels for Harden Grange, in Yorkshire. Comyns Carr asked Burne-Jones to design the production whilst the artist was working on his magnum opus, The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon. |
| Associated object | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.336-2011 |
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| Record created | June 1, 2011 |
| Record URL |
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