Who painted Mr. Elliston as Duke Aranza?

Mr. Elliston as Duke Aranza was painted by Unknown in 1808.

Where can I see Mr. Elliston as Duke Aranza?

Mr. Elliston as Duke Aranza is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Mr. Elliston as Duke Aranza?

Mr. Elliston as Duke Aranza is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Mr. Elliston as Duke Aranza

Unknown , 1808

Mr. Elliston as Duke Aranza is a print by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

The play was written by John Tobin and the man in the painting, Robert William Elliston, was an actor.

This painting shows a man dressed as Duke Aranza.
He's wearing fancy clothes and looks serious.
The painting is based on a play called The Honey Moon, which was performed in 1805.

The play was written by John Tobin and the man in the painting, Robert William Elliston, was an actor.
He played the role of Duke Aranza at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

You can learn more about this style by looking into the technique of chiaroscuro.

Overview

The work is a watercolour print portraying the actor Robert William Ellison in costume as the Duke Aranza, a lead figure from John Tobin’s early nineteenth‑century drama The Honey Moon. The image captures the stage persona as presented at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in January 1805.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is shown in elaborate aristocratic attire, his expression solemn, reflecting the dignified bearing of the fictional duke. By rendering the theatrical role, the print serves both as a portrait of Ellison’s performance and as a visual record of contemporary stage costume and characterisation.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the image employs a contrast of light and shadow reminiscent of chiaroscuro, giving depth to the folds of fabric and the actor’s facial features. The delicate wash and precise line work convey the texture of the costume while maintaining a clear, representational style typical of early‑1800s theatrical portraiture.

History & Provenance

The print was produced shortly after Ellison’s appearance as Duke Aranza at Drury Lane, likely intended for promotional or commemorative purposes. It remains associated with the 1805 production of The Honey Moon, a play by John Tobin that enjoyed a brief but noted run on the London stage.