Artwork
Mr. Lewis in the character of Hippolitus

Mr. Lewis in the character of Hippolitus is a print by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1777 print depicts William Thomas Lewis as Hippolitus in a theatrical performance.
About this work
You see a man who looks like an actor. He wears a loose white robe. One hand rests on his chest. His face is calm but serious.
This is a print from 1777, not a painting. It shows William Lewis playing Hippolitus in a play from 1706. You can still visit the theater where he performed. He wore this costume on stage.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more prints like this.
Overview
This 1777 print depicts William Thomas Lewis as Hippolitus in a theatrical performance. It is a representation of the actor in character, captured in a moment of calm intensity.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Lewis in a loose white robe, one hand on his chest, embodying the title character in 'Phaedra and Hippolitus', a play by Edmund Smith first performed in 1706. The serene yet serious expression conveys the character's emotional state.
Technique & Style
As a print, the work is a reproduction of a stage image, likely derived from a drawing or painting of the actor in costume. The medium allowed for mass production and dissemination of the image, making it accessible to a wider audience.
History & Provenance
Published by Joseph Wenman in London on September 1, 1777, the print is part of a historical record of 18th-century theater. It was once part of the Harry Beard Collection.
Context
The play 'Phaedra and Hippolitus' was first performed in the early 18th century. The theater where Lewis performed can still be visited today, providing a tangible link to the historical context of the print.
Artist & collection


















