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G0834
Paintings: G0834
Title
Mrs Webb
Technique
Oil on canvas
Subject
Character
Lady Dove : The Brothers
Artist
Dimensions
Height: 37.2cm
Width: 28.5cm
height (frame): 46cm
width (frame): 37cm
Width: 28.5cm
height (frame): 46cm
width (frame): 37cm
Provenance
John Bell; Charles Mathews
Other number
Mathews 373
RW/CKA 237
RW/CKA 237
Exhibition history
1833 London, Queen's Bazaar, Oxford Street, "Mr Mathews's Gallery of Theatrical Portraits" (373)
1997 London, Dulwich Picture Gallery, "Dramatic Art
Theatrical Paintings from the Garrick Club" (27)
Engraving history
Philippe Audinet for Bell's British Library 22 September 1792, line 11.1 x 8, pub. Bell's “British Theatre” (1797) vol 12, with the quotation: "I insist upon your turning that old porpoise out of the house" (Act II, scene 2)
J. Chapman (after H. Moses) printed C. Cooke 1808 and plate to “British Drama”, stipple and line
It has been suggested that the sitter is Ludia Webbe (fl. 1788-1812), but it is more likely that she is Mrs Richard Webb, Ludia's mother (see BD 15: 318). Ludia Webb did not act at Covent Garden (and acted very infrequently in London) in the 1780s.
Lady Dove wears long white gloves and a full pink skirt under a gauze, with a purple bodice and pink stomacher and sash.
Cumberland's comedy was first performed at Covent Garden on 2 December 1769, with Mrs Green as the original Lady Dove. Mrs Webb played Lady Dove for the first time at Covent Garden on 25 April 1787.
Lady Dove wears long white gloves and a full pink skirt under a gauze, with a purple bodice and pink stomacher and sash.
Cumberland's comedy was first performed at Covent Garden on 2 December 1769, with Mrs Green as the original Lady Dove. Mrs Webb played Lady Dove for the first time at Covent Garden on 25 April 1787.
