Home
/
G0342
Paintings: G0342
Title
Dorothy Jordan
Technique
Oil on canvas
Subject
Character
Peggy : The Country Girl
Artist
Dimensions
Height (canvas): 35.5cm
Width (canvas): 26.7cm
height (frame): 48cm
width (frame): 38cm
Width (canvas): 26.7cm
height (frame): 48cm
width (frame): 38cm
Provenance
John Bell; Charles Mathews; [Possibly presented to the Garrick Club by Mrs Fitzgerald of Shalstone Manor, in remembrance of her son, the late Capt. K Fitzgerald, 1887 (if it is Gift 211)]
Other number
Mathews 387
RW/CKA 203
[Possibly Gift 211, a portrait of Mrs Jordan (see also G0343 and provenance)]
RW/CKA 203
[Possibly Gift 211, a portrait of Mrs Jordan (see also G0343 and provenance)]
Exhibition history
1833 London, Queen's Bazaar, Oxford Street, "Mr Mathews's Gallery of Theatrical Portraits" (387)
1995 London, Kenwood "Mrs Jordan: The Duchess of Drury Lane" (6)
Engraving history
William Bromley for Bell's British Library, 15 July 1791, line 10.5 x 7.95, published in Bell's “British Theatre” (1797), vol 13
Literature
Griffiths, p.332
Peggy Thrift, daughter of Sir Thomas Thrift, has been brought up as a naive country girl by her elderly guardian Jack Moody, who has made her believe that she is married to him. Belville, her admirer, discovers that she is not married and pursues her in the face of Moody's jealousy. In Act V, scene 1, set in Moody's house, Moody interrupts Peggy whilst she is writing a love-letter to Belville. She pretends that she is writing it for Alithia, Moody's sister, and Moody proclaims that Belville is too young for his sister to marry. Peggy retorts with the line printed on the engraving: "Why do you marry me then? tis the same thing Bud." ("Bud" was an affectionate term for husband.) Peggy's pose is one of affected rustic puzzlement. Her simple country garb consists of a white dress trimmed with green, and a green silk apron with pockets.
Garrick's adaptation of Wycherley's “The Country Wife” was first performed at Drury Lane on 25 October 1766, with Ann Reynolds as Peggy. Mrs Jordan made her very first appearance in London in the part, at Drury Lane on 18 October 1785. She played the part eight times during the 1790-91 season, the last on 4 June 1791, also the last evening that performances were given in the old Drury Lane Theatre.
Garrick's adaptation of Wycherley's “The Country Wife” was first performed at Drury Lane on 25 October 1766, with Ann Reynolds as Peggy. Mrs Jordan made her very first appearance in London in the part, at Drury Lane on 18 October 1785. She played the part eight times during the 1790-91 season, the last on 4 June 1791, also the last evening that performances were given in the old Drury Lane Theatre.
