John Philip Kemble

John Philip Kemble

Martin Archer Shee

c. 1795

Accession Number

16281

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

72.7 × 59.7 cm (28 5/8 × 23 1/2 in.); Framed: 99.7 × 88.3 × 10.2 cm (39 1/4 × 34 3/4 × 4 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William Owen Goodman for Kenneth S. Goodman Theatre.

Background & Context

Background Story

Martin Archer Shee's John Philip Kemble (c. 1795) is an oil on canvas portrait of the great English actor. Kemble (1757-1823) was one of the most celebrated actors of his generation, known for his Shakespearean roles. Shee (1769-1850) was a prominent British portraitist who later served as president of the Royal Academy. This portrait captures Kemble with the dignity and presence appropriate to his profession.

Cultural Impact

Shee was a leading British portraitist and president of the Royal Academy.

Why It Matters

This portrait captures the dignity and presence of the celebrated actor John Philip Kemble.

Related Artworks

Saint James Major

Saint James Major

Grifo di Tancredi

Saint Paul and a Group of Worshippers

Saint Paul and a Group of Worshippers

Daddi, Bernardo

Saint Bernard and Saint Catherine of Alexandria with the Virgin of the Annunciation [right panel]

Saint Bernard and Saint Catherine of Alexandria with the Virgin of the Annunciation [right panel]

Gaddi, Agnolo

Matteo Olivieri (?)

Matteo Olivieri (?)

Florentine 15th Century