Mr. Lewis as the Copper Captain

Lewis, a leading comic actor of his day, is shown embodying the Copper Captain, a part that allowed him to display a distinctive, energetic laughter that contemporary observers praised as a highlight of the performance. The print captures the vitality and humor associated with the role.

Thornthwaite employed the print medium, likely a line engraving or etching, to render the figure with clear contours and expressive gestures. The composition focuses on the actor’s facial expression and posture, emphasizing the theatricality of the character.

The Copper Captain was first performed by Lewis at Covent Garden on 25 January 1780. James Boaden, in his memoir of the actress Mrs. Siddons, recorded contemporary acclaim for Lewis’s portrayal, noting his laughter as a particularly brilliant element. Thornthwaite’s print was produced eleven years after the debut, likely for an audience familiar with the celebrated role.

The print emerges from a period when theatrical portraiture was popular among London’s cultural circles, reflecting the public’s interest in commemorating notable stage performances. It aligns with the broader eighteenth‑century trend of documenting theatrical personalities through prints and engravings.