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G0336
Paintings: G0336
Title
John Henry Johnstone
Technique
Oil on canvas
Subject
Character
Sir Callaghan O'Brallaghan : Love a la Mode
Artist
Dimensions
Height: 76cm
Width: 63cm
height (frame): 93cm
width (frame): 82cm
Width: 63cm
height (frame): 93cm
width (frame): 82cm
Provenance
Thomas Harris; Harris sale, Robins 12 July 1819 (29); Charles Mathews
Other number
Mathews 117
RW/CKA 365
RW/CKA 365
Exhibition history
1803 London, R. A. (92)
1833 London, Queen's Bazaar, Oxford Street, "Mr Mathews's Gallery of Theatrical Portraits" (117)
1934 London, Royal Academy, "British Art" (357)
Engraving history
William Ward pub. Messrs Ward 26 September 1803, mezzotint 26.35 x 21.25
J. Rogers for Oxberry's “New English Drama” pub. Simpkin & Marshall 1824, stipple 10.5 x 8.6
J. Rogers for Oxberry's “Dramatic Biography” pub. G. Virtue 28 January 1826, stipple 7.2 x 4.9 (M. A. Shee del.)
Kennerley, stipple (vignette)
Maguire for the “Cyclopaedian Magazine” stipple & line 14.3 x 9.2
Literature
Patmore p. 274; Griffiths p. 335
In Act I, the bluff soldier Sir Callaghan is being made fun of by Beau Mordecai, a Jewish dandy, who speaks the line quoted on the engraving: "You a General! faith then you will make a very pretty General. Pray, madam, look at the General!" Sir Callaghan wears a dark blue-green military jacket with pale green bands and silver braid.
Macklin's comedy was first performed at Drury Lane on 12 December 1759. John Moody was the original Sir Callaghan, with Macklin as Sir Archy MacSarcasm. Johnstone's first performance as Sir Callaghan was seen at Covent Garden on 10 November 1784, with Macklin as Sir Archy and Quick as Beau Mordecai (see G0129, G0752, and G0753).
Macklin's comedy was first performed at Drury Lane on 12 December 1759. John Moody was the original Sir Callaghan, with Macklin as Sir Archy MacSarcasm. Johnstone's first performance as Sir Callaghan was seen at Covent Garden on 10 November 1784, with Macklin as Sir Archy and Quick as Beau Mordecai (see G0129, G0752, and G0753).
