John Bell, Patron of British Theatrical Portraiture

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 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.

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.