Ira Aldridge as Mungo in The Padlock by Isaac Bickerstaffe
Painting
ca. 1833 (painted)
ca. 1833 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This painting depicts Ira Aldridge (1807-1867), born Frederick William Aldridge in New York, as the servant Mungo in Isaac Bickerstaffe's popular farce The Padlock with music by Charles Dibden, which had become a comic staple on the English stage since its original production at Drury Lane Theatre in 1768. Aldridge got great pathos out of the role of the abused, harrassed slave, as well as humour in the scenes with his master, the rich West Indian planter Don Diego.
Aldridge may have played Mungo for the first time on tour in Devizes in March 1826, and it became one of his favourite roles, in which he could make audiences both laugh and think, since Mungo is not just an insubordinate drunken servant but also an exploited lackey aware of the indignities to which he is subjected. During his career Aldridge also regularly sang songs from the play, and played the role in a double bill with Othello,displaying the wide range of his acting abilities.
Aldridge may have played Mungo for the first time on tour in Devizes in March 1826, and it became one of his favourite roles, in which he could make audiences both laugh and think, since Mungo is not just an insubordinate drunken servant but also an exploited lackey aware of the indignities to which he is subjected. During his career Aldridge also regularly sang songs from the play, and played the role in a double bill with Othello,displaying the wide range of his acting abilities.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Title | Ira Aldridge as Mungo in <i>The Padlock</i> by Isaac Bickerstaffe (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Oil on canvas |
| Brief description | Portrait entitled "Ira Aldridge as Mungo in The Padlock by Isaac Bickerstaffe". Oil on canvas attributed to Thomas Charles Wageman, ca. 1833 |
| Physical description | Oil portrait of Ira Aldridge as Mungo. Full length African-American male figure standing in an interior. He wears a white jacket and matching knee breeches with a striped shirt, beige stockings and brown shoes. Behind him is a window with a view of the countryside, under which is a table covered by a green cloth. On the table are books, papers and an inkwell with a quill pen. To right of the table is a chair with a guitar on the seat, propped against the chair-back. There is a hat on the floor behind Aldridge's right foot. Framed. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Professor Herbert Marshall |
| Object history | Given to the V&A by Professor Herbert Marshall, the author, with Mildred Stock, of the biography of Ira Aldridge, published by Rockcliff in 1958. Professor Marshall was given the painting by Aldridge's daughter, Amanda. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This painting depicts Ira Aldridge (1807-1867), born Frederick William Aldridge in New York, as the servant Mungo in Isaac Bickerstaffe's popular farce The Padlock with music by Charles Dibden, which had become a comic staple on the English stage since its original production at Drury Lane Theatre in 1768. Aldridge got great pathos out of the role of the abused, harrassed slave, as well as humour in the scenes with his master, the rich West Indian planter Don Diego. Aldridge may have played Mungo for the first time on tour in Devizes in March 1826, and it became one of his favourite roles, in which he could make audiences both laugh and think, since Mungo is not just an insubordinate drunken servant but also an exploited lackey aware of the indignities to which he is subjected. During his career Aldridge also regularly sang songs from the play, and played the role in a double bill with Othello,displaying the wide range of his acting abilities. |
| Associated object | S.3577-2009 (Object) |
| Bibliographic reference | Ashton, Geoffrey. Catalogue of Paintings at the Theatre Museum, London. ed. James Fowler, London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1992. 224p. ill. ISBN 1851771026 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1130-1986 |
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 28, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
