John Bell, Patron of British Theatrical Portraiture

Book excerpt: For this catalog, Kalman A. Burnim has selected more than 360 portraits from various editions of the John Bell publication Bell's Shakespeare (including John Barker's continuation of 1799-1800) and from Bell's British Theatre (including George Cawthorn's 1797 edition). Philip H. Highfill Jr. has furnished the introductory essay for the catalog. Most of these portraits 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 engraved versions are by James Thornthwaite, William Leney, Philippe Audinet, and others. When possible, each entry is illustrated by a reproduction of the engraving or by an original picture. For each entry, Burnim provides details of publication, the provenance and related pictures, the locations of the originals, and commentary.