Artwork
Mr. Lewis of the Theatre Royal Covent Garden
Mr. Lewis of the Theatre Royal Covent Garden is a print by the Romanticist artist J Corner. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Mr.
About this work
Overview
Mr. Lewis of the Theatre Royal Covent Garden is a print portrait of William Thomas Lewis, an actor active in the late 18th century. Published in October 1790, the work was included in The European Magazine, London.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, William Thomas Lewis (c. 1746-1812), was a notable figure at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden. The portrait likely aimed to familiarize or celebrate his image among the magazine's readership.
Technique & Style
While specific artistic techniques are not detailed here, the print's publication context suggests it aligns with late 18th-century engraving practices common in magazine illustrations, potentially reflecting early Romanticism's emphasis on expressive portraiture.
History & Provenance
Published by J. Sewell for The European Magazine in 1790, the print is now part of the Harry Beard Collection, indicating its journey from a widely distributed magazine item to a collected piece.
Context
Its appearance in The European Magazine highlights how such publications served as vehicles for art dissemination to a broader audience in late 18th-century London.
Artist & collection
Artist
British printmakers in the 1790s often etched portraits of actors on the London stage.
