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George Engelheart (1750-1829) Attrib. A portrait miniature of…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
25-May-2020
Lot No.
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Description:
George Engelheart (1750-1829) Attrib. A portrait miniature of William Henry Betty (1792-1874), wearing a black coat with a white waistcoat and ruffle collar, in a gilded metal frame, inscribed in ink verso with a newspaper cutting William Betty 7.3 cm high note Betty, William Henry West (1791-1874) English actor, known as 'The young Roscius' was born on the 13th of September 1791 at Shrewsbury. He first appeared on the stage at Belfast before he was twelve years old, as Osman in Aaron Hill's Zara, and English version of Voltaire's Zaire. His success was immediate, and he shortly thereafter appeared in Dublin, where it is said that in three hours of study he committed the part of Hamlet to memory. His precocious talents aroused great enthusiasm in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and he was favourably compared with some of the greatest tragedians. In 1804 he first appeared at Covent garden, when the troops had to be called out to preserve order, so great was the crush to obtain admittance. At Drury Lane the house was similarly packed, and he played for the then unprecedented salary of over 75 guineas a night. He was a great success socially, George III himself presenting him to the Queen, and Pitt upon one occasion adjourning the house of Commons that members might be in time for his performance. But this enthusiasm gradually subsided, and in 1808 he made his final appearance as a boy actor, and entered Christ's College, Cambridge.
Estimate:
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Category:
Precious Objects: Miniatures & Silhouettes