Museum number
2004.1
Object
Framed oil painting: William Brereton (1751-1787) with a Portrait of Henry Woodward, by Henry Walton (1746-1813), oil on canvas c.1780
Description
Oil on canvas, a portrait of the actor William Brereton (1757-1787) by Henry Walton William Brereton was an actor in the 18th century and was a member of the acting company of the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane under David Garrick and R B Sheridan. He was born in Bath and the son of William Brereton, the master of Ceremonies. He made his debut in Douglas by John Home in 1768. He died in 1787 in an asylum due to alcoholism and mental instability. The mental decline was supposedly due to his unrequited love for Sarah Siddons. On the wall is a picture of Henry Woodward, another actor, mainly known for his comedy roles. He joined the acting troupe of John Rich at Lincoln's Inn Fields playing in The Beggars Opera in 1729. From Oct 1730 he appeared at Goodman's Fields Theatre until 1736. He was then at Drury Lane from 1738 to 1747. He continued in various theatres and comedic roles. He was David Garrick's friend and they often acted alongside each other including in Romeo ad Juliet.
Materials
Oil
On display?
Yes

Further description

Simple name
Painting
Subject
Portrait
Dimensions
framed: 7cm (d) x 109cm (h) x 89cm (w)
regular: 91.4cm (h) x 69cm (w)
William Brereton (1751–1787) with a Portrait of Henry Woodward Henry Walton (1746–1813) Oil on canvas, about 1778 This portrait by Norfolk squire Henry Walton depicts the actor William Brereton in an elegant parlour. Walton probably studied with Johan Zoffany and specialised in full-length portraits on a small scale. His subject was born in Bath, the son of Major William Brereton, Master of Ceremonies of the Lower Assembly Rooms. The oval portrait conspicuously displayed on the wall behind Brereton is by Benjamin Vandergucht (1753–1794) and has recently come to light. It depicts the versatile comic actor Henry Woodward (1714–1777). 2004.1 Bequest of Mrs Annabelle Montague-Smith, 2004

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