Paintings: G1206

Title

Henry Irving as Macbeth

Subject

Irving, Henry John (Sir)

Artist

Archer, James

Date

1875

Dimensions

height (frame): 211cm
width (frame): 107cm
height: 198cm
width: 88.8cm

Other materials

Oil on canvas

Inscription/signature

Inscribed by the artist's date and name on the reverse: "Mr Irving as Macbeth by James Archer MDCCCCXXV"

Provenance

Acquired by the works of art committee at the meeting held on the 13th of March 2019.

Other number

E0057

This dramatic picture shows Henry Irving in the title role during his 1875 performance of Macbeth at the Lyceum Theatre. The artist has chosen to show a scene that the viewer of the play does not get to see: the moment that Macbeth enters into Duncan's chamber to carry out his murder. It was the first time that Irving had played the role, and contrary to playing Macbeth as a sturdy villan he played him as pathetic and cowardly. This divided opinion. James Archer depicted Irving in his theatrical roles on two other occasions. The first as King Charles I, which is at the Russell-Cotes Gallery & Museum, and the other as Mathias in 'The Bells', which is in the Museum of London. Two of these paintings were exhibited at the Royal Academy and may have served the purpose of advertisment for the production.