Artwork
Mr Robert Palmer as Tom
Mr Robert Palmer as Tom is a print by the Romanticist artist Samuel De Wilde. It dates from 28 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1782 London print captures the actor Robert Palmer in the role of Tom from the stage comedy *Conscious Lovers*.
About this work
Overview
This 1782 London print captures the actor Robert Palmer in the role of Tom from the stage comedy *Conscious Lovers*. Issued by the publisher John Bell on 28 September 1782, the image serves as a contemporary visual record of a single performance night.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Palmer in costume, embodying the character of Tom, a central figure in the play. By depicting the actor in character, the print highlights the theatrical practice of commemorating popular performances for an audience eager to recall the spectacle.
Technique & Style
Created by the noted printmaker Samuel De Wilde, the work employs the fine line work and shading typical of late‑18th‑century portrait prints. De Wilde’s attention to detail renders both facial expression and costume elements, offering a clear likeness of the performer.
History & Provenance
Printed in the same year as the performance, the image was distributed by John Bell, a prominent London publisher of theatrical prints. It now belongs to the Harry Beard Collection, a private assemblage of historic theatrical ephemera.
Context
During the 1780s, London theatres regularly commissioned prints of leading actors in their most celebrated roles. De Wilde produced a series of such portraits, reflecting the growing public appetite for visual memorabilia of the stage.
Legacy
The print remains a valuable source for scholars of 18th‑century theatre, illustrating contemporary costume, staging, and the celebrity status of actors like Palmer. It is catalogued in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection of theatrical prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Samuel De Wilde (1751 – 19 January 1832), born and died in London, was a portrait painter and etcher of Dutch descent famous for his theatrical paintings.
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H Beard Print Collection
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H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection
