John Liston (c.1776–1846), as Pompey in 'Measure for Measure' by William Shakespeare

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a realistic approach with careful attention to the textures of fabric and metal trim. A dark, indistinct background recedes, suggesting a stage setting while keeping the focus on the actor’s face and gesture.

De Wilde, a London‑born portraitist of Dutch heritage, was the pre‑eminent painter of actors between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This portrait, part of his extensive series of theatrical likenesses, entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains on view.

During the period 1770–1820, theatrical portraiture flourished in England as a means of commemorating popular stage personalities. De Wilde’s work reflects this trend, documenting both the individual performer and the broader cultural importance of Shakespearean drama on the London stage.