Joseph Grimaldi dressed as a hussar standing before another actor in a clown's costume in a scene from the pantomime, Red Dwarf. Etching by W. Heath, ca. 1811.
- Heath, William, 1795-1840.
- Date:
- [1811?]
- Reference:
- 589898i
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- Online
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Description
Grimaldi wears cylindrical coal-scuttles for boots with huge spurs made out of brass dishes, an enormous russian hat with a long dangling tassel , and a ridiculous beard and moustache. He holds a long curved knife. The clown opposite him looks at him in fright
Publication/Creation
[Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], [1811?]
Physical description
1 print : etching ; image 20.7 x 32.8 cm
Biographical note
Grimaldi was a popular pantomime actor who specialised in playing clowns. Hussars replaced constables to guard the approaches to Vauxhall for the Victoria fete in London at the time and were satirised in pantomimes of the day. Grimaldi's health suffered from the numerous accidents that occurred during his career on stage, particularly after 1822. His pastimes included collecting flies and breeding pigeons (DNB)
Lettering
Grimaldis bold dragoon in the popular pantomime of the Red Dwarf
References note
Not found in British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, London 1978 but see satire no. 12003 for a very similar print by G. Cruikshank, 1813
Notes
One of a series of 3 prints, see Wellcome library catalogue no. 589895i and 589897i for others
Reference
Wellcome Collection 589898i
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Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed stores