Artwork
Mr Liston as Tony Lumpkin
Mr Liston as Tony Lumpkin is a print by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This early‑19th‑century print portrays the actor John Liston in costume as Tony Lumpkin, a comic figure from Oliver Goldsmith’s play *She Stoops to Conquer*. The image is part of the Harry Beard Collection, a repository of theatrical portraiture from the period.
Subject & Meaning
Tony Lumpkin, the mischievous country youth whose antics drive the plot’s misunderstandings, was a popular role for actors of the era. By depicting Liston in this part, the print highlights both the performer’s reputation for comic timing and the enduring appeal of Goldsmith’s farce.
Technique & Style
Executed as a printed image, the work employs line work and shading typical of early nineteenth‑century theatrical prints, emphasizing costume details and facial expression to convey the character’s lively personality.
History & Provenance
The print was produced shortly after the play’s frequent revivals in the early 1800s, a time when printed portraits of actors were circulated as souvenirs. It entered the Harry Beard Collection, a specialized assemblage of theatrical ephemera, where it remains catalogued.
Artist & collection
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