Artwork
Mr Le Kain/Orosmane dans Zayre
Mr Le Kain/Orosmane dans Zayre is a print by the Romanticist artist Charles Grignion. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print shows an actor on stage. The year is 1773 and it comes from a London print shop.
It’s a quick look at a famous French actor named Le Kain playing a role in a play called Zayre. The print was made the same year the play was staged.
Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see it in person.
Overview
This 1773 print captures the French actor Monsieur Le Kain (1729‑1778) in costume as Orosmane, a character from the tragedy Zayre, performed at the Comédie Française. Produced by the London firm Jefferys & Faden, the image offers a contemporary visual record of a theatrical moment that was current at the time of its publication.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Le Kain on stage, emphasizing the theatrical gesture and costume that define the role of Orosmane. By foregrounding the actor’s expression and posture, the print highlights the dramatic intensity of the performance and serves as a visual tribute to a celebrated figure of 18th‑century French theatre.
Technique & Style
Executed as a printed engraving, the work employs fine line work and cross‑hatching to render textures of fabric, lighting, and the stage backdrop. The composition balances detail with a relatively flat pictorial space, typical of mid‑century British printmaking intended for wide distribution.
History & Provenance
Issued on 1 May 1773 by the London publishers Jefferys & Faden, the print entered the Harry Beard Collection, a notable assemblage of theatrical ephemera. Its survival in this private collection underscores the continued interest in documenting stage actors of the period.
Context
Zayre, a tragic drama popular in the 1770s, was staged at the Comédie Française, France’s premier theatrical institution. Le Kain’s portrayal of Orosmane was a highlight of the production, and the print reflects the cross‑Channel fascination with French theatrical culture among British audiences.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Grignion the Elder (1721–1810) was a British engraver and draughtsman. Grignion was born in London to Huguenot refugees. He was a prolific historical engraver and book illustrator. He studied in London at…
