Mr. Garrick in the Character of an Auctioneer

Date1769

Designed and engraved by James McArdell

Publisher Robert Sayer (1725-1794)

MediumMezzotint with line engraving

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1980-191

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Mr. Garrick in the Character of an AUCTIONEER,/ Speaking the Prologue in TASTE, a Comedy of two Acts, wrote by Samuel Foote Esq.r/ London, Printed for ROB.T SAYER, N.o 53 in Fleet Street. / Before thie Court, I Peter Puff appear,/ A Briton born, and bred an Auctioneer, &c./ Published das the Act directs, 20 Feb.y 1769."
Label TextDavid Garrick (1717-1779) was a famous and influential English actor and playwright who entertained audiences throughout the 18th century. This print shows him in the character of "The Auctioneer in Samuel Foote's play "Taste" which was first performed in 1752. The play satirized the ignorance of aristocratic art collectors, and the dealers who preyed on the craze for art, antiquities, and collecting that emerged in Britain in the mid-18th century.

Garrick managed the Drury Lane theatre in London for 29 years, making it one of the most important and popular theatrical venues of its day. Garrick was undoubling one of the most painted and engraved figures in the late 18th century outside of nobility. The Catalogue of Engraved British Portraits lists 176 engravings of Garrick known.