William Hogarth, Mr. Garrick in the character of Richard III, etching, 48x59 cm

Etching by William Hogarth of the painting of 1745. It represents David Garrick a great actor of the mid 18th century, who became famous from 1743 after his outstanding performance as Shakespeare's Richard III. He is shown in the famous scene, before th Battle of Bosworth, haunted by ghosts of all those he had murdered. Garrick's body is contorted into a 'serpentine' line - a stretched 'S', shape that Hogarth considered distinctly beautiful. He later made this shape the basis of his theoretical treatise 'The Analysis of Beauty' published in 1753. This first major Shakespearian picture is not just a portrait but also a grand history painting in which Hogarth emphasises England's importance. Lettered below image with title and production and publication details.