Artwork
Mr Palmer as Malvil
Mr Palmer as Malvil is a print by the Romanticist artist Foster. It dates from 1821 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This early nineteenth‑century print presents the figure of Robert Palmer dressed as the character Malvil.
About this work
Overview
This early nineteenth‑century print presents the figure of Robert Palmer dressed as the character Malvil. Produced in London and issued by the publishing house Simpkin & Marshall in 1821, the image is a single‑sheet illustration that captures a theatrical or literary persona through the medium of print.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays Mr. Robert Palmer assuming the role of Malvil, a name that suggests a fictional or stage character rather than a historical figure. By depicting Palmer in costume, the print likely served as a visual record of a performance or a popular narrative, offering contemporary viewers a glimpse of the character’s appearance and the actor’s interpretation.
History & Provenance
Printed in 1821, the image entered the collection of Harry Beard, a noted accumulator of prints and ephemera. Its survival within this private assemblage indicates the work’s circulation among collectors of theatrical memorabilia and its continued relevance as a document of early nineteenth‑century popular culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Foster was the kind of printmaker who treated every line like a gossip: quick, knowing, and packed with personality.
