Artwork
Mr Liston as Maw-Worm in The Hypocrite
Mr Liston as Maw-Worm in The Hypocrite is a print by the Romanticist artist Page. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The Victoria and Albert Museum holds this work, which is interesting because it shows how art can be connected to theater and performance.
This print is titled Mr Liston as Maw-Worm in The Hypocrite.
It was published on 1st January 1824.
The print is part of the Harry Beard Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and it depicts a character from a play, which suggests it has a story behind it.
The Victoria and Albert Museum holds this work, which is interesting because it shows how art can be connected to theater and performance.
You can learn more about this style by looking into Romanticism.
Overview
This 1824 print from the Harry Beard Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum portrays John Liston in the role of Maw-Worm from the play The Hypocrite.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a character from a theatrical production, highlighting the intersection of art and performance. Maw-Worm, as depicted, embodies a role within The Hypocrite, a play that satirizes hypocrisy, suggesting the print may comment on moral duplicity.
Technique & Style
Published by T & J. Elvey in London, the print's style aligns with early 19th-century theatrical illustrations, potentially reflecting Romantic-era aesthetics in its representation of drama and character.
History & Provenance
Published on January 1, 1824, the print is now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, specifically within the Harry Beard Collection, indicating its value as a historical theatrical artifact.
Context
The work's connection to The Hypocrite play situates it within the early 19th-century theater scene in London, where such prints served to popularize performances and characters among the audience.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of this print are not widely documented, it contributes to the broader legacy of theatrical illustration in the Romantic era, preserving a moment in London's theatrical history.
Artist & collection
Artist
Page was the guy who turned actors into instant memes. In 1824 he carved Mr Liston as Maw-Worm—a grinning, wide-eyed villain in a wig so stiff it looks like it’s plotting something—and suddenly every gossip sheet in…
