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D2005-CMD-103
Mr. Garrick in the Farmer's Return
D2005-CMD-103

Mr. Garrick in the Farmer's Return

Date1766
Engraver John Boydell
Designer Johann Gottfried Haid
After work by Johan Joseph Zoffany (1733 - 1810)
OriginEngland, London
MediumMezzotint with line engraving
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1973-259
DescriptionLower margin reads: " Zoffany Pinxit./ J. Boydell Excud.t/ J.G Haid fecit./ M.r Garrick in the Farmers Return/ Published according to Act of Parliament March 1.st 1766, by J. Boydell Engraver, in Cheapside LONDON."
Label TextThis mezzotint depicts a scene from the famous English actor David Garrick's 1762 play "The Farmer's Return from London: An Interlude" in which he starred as "The Farmer" with Mary Bradshaw as "The Farmer's Wife" (also depicted). It is based on a painting by the German artist Johan Joseph Zoffany in the collection of the Yale Center for British Art entitled "David Garrick and Mary Bradshaw in David Garrick's 'The Farmer''s Return.'" The success of Zoffany's painting, which was exhibited at the Society of Artists in London contributed to Garrick's fame and initiated a close lifelong friendship between the artist and the actor. Zoffany would go on to paint other portraits of Garrick.