For this sumptuously illustrated catalog, Kalman A. Burnim—picture editor and compiler of the iconographies published in the sixteen-volume Biographical Dictionary—has selected more than 350 portraits from various editions of the John Bell publication Bell’s Shakespeare (including John Barker’s continuation of 17991800) and from Bell’s British Theatre (including George Cawthorn’s 1797 edition). Philip H. Highfill Jr. has furnished the introductory essay for the catalog.
These are portraits of players in costume for their roles. Most are by James Roberts and Samuel De Wilde, who were among the leading painters of actors and actresses between 1770 and 1820. Richard Cosway, William Hamilton, Gilbert Stuart, and other painters also have work represented in the catalog. The beautifully detailed engraved plates are by James Thornthwaite, William Leney, Philippe Audinet, and others.
| Preface | ||
| Pt. 1 | John Bell and the Portraits | 1 |
| 1 | John Bell and His Editions of Plays | 3 |
| 2 | The Portraits | 20 |
| 3 | The Action in the Portraits | 26 |
| 4 | The Costumes in the Portraits | 30 |
| Pt. 2 | The Catalog of Portraits | 35 |
| App. 1 | Scenes from the Plays and Other Engravings | 265 |
| App. 2 | List of Portraits Published Separately | 270 |
| App. 3 | List of Portraits Not Published | 271 |
| App. 4 | Biographical Index of Painters and Engravers | 272 |
| App. 5 | Index of Plays | 279 |
| Selected Bibliography | 283 | |
| Photographic Credits | 286 |
Overview
For this sumptuously illustrated catalog, Kalman A. Burnim—picture editor and compiler of the iconographies published in the sixteen-volume Biographical Dictionary—has selected more than 350 portraits from various editions of the John Bell publication Bell’s Shakespeare (including John Barker’s continuation of 17991800) and from Bell’s British Theatre (including George Cawthorn’s 1797 edition). Philip H. Highfill Jr. has furnished the introductory essay for the catalog.
These ...