Who painted Richard II?

Richard II was painted by John Hamilton Mortimer in 1775.

Where can I see Richard II?

Richard II is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Richard II?

Richard II is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Richard II

John Hamilton Mortimer , 1775

Richard II is a print by the Romanticist artist John Hamilton Mortimer. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This print, titled 'Richard II', is a dramatic etching by John Hamilton Mortimer, created as part of a series of Shakespearean characters between 1775 and 1776.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts King Richard II overshadowed by the skeletal figure of death, conveying a sense of tension and foreboding, drawing inspiration from Shakespeare's play.

Technique & Style

Mortimer's use of chiaroscuro, evident in the shadows, adds to the dramatic effect, reflecting his Romantic sensibility and affinity for themes from English literature.

History & Provenance

Mortimer was a rising star in English art, becoming president of the Society of Artists of Great Britain in 1774, but his career was cut short by his death at thirty-nine.

Artist & collection

Artist

John Hamilton Mortimer

John Hamilton Mortimer (17 September 1740 – 4 February 1779) was a British figure and landscape painter and printmaker, known for romantic paintings set in Italy, works depicting conversations, and works drawn in the…