Artwork
Mr. Lewis as the Copper Captain
Mr. Lewis as the Copper Captain is a print by the Romanticist artist J. Alais. It dates from 5 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This print depicts William Thomas Lewis as a character from a 17th-century play.
About this work
This print shows William Thomas Lewis as the Copper Captain in an old play by John Fletcher. It’s a single sheet, printed in London on 5th February 1808.
It’s one of many prints made to sell to theater lovers back then. The play is called “To Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife.”
Next time you’re in London, look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This print depicts William Thomas Lewis as a character from a 17th-century play. It is a single-sheet print published in London on February 5, 1808.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Lewis as the Copper Captain in 'To Rule a Wife, and Have a Wife,' a play by John Fletcher. It was created for the theater-going public, capturing a specific performance or character interpretation.
History & Provenance
The print was published by J. Roach and is part of the Harry Beard Collection. It is an example of the theatrical prints that were popular among audiences at the time.
Artist & collection
Artist
J. Alais made hand-colored prints of actors on stage in early 1800s London. Their prints capture star turns like “Mr. Kean as Macbeth” in 1814 and “Mr. Lewis as the Copper Captain” from 5 February 1808. These crisp…
