William Charles Macready as William Tell
This is a study for a full-length portrait of the renowned English actor William Charles Macready (1793–1873) in the role of William Tell as a prisoner in the dungeon of the Castle of Kussnacht (now in The Player's Club, New York). The tragedy, written by Friedrich von Schiller, was extremely popular in the early nineteenth century. When the full-length portrait was exhibited at the National Academy of Design in 1827, it was derided because the head, painted from Macready in life, did not accord with the body, supposedly that of Joseph Jefferson, a fellow academician. This study of the head is obviously the preparatory life study alluded to here; it was probably painted around 1827 when the actor was on his first tour of the United States.
Artwork Details
- Title:William Charles Macready as William Tell
- Artist:Henry Inman (American, Utica, New York 1801–1846 New York)
- Date:1826–27
- Culture:American
- Medium:Oil on canvas
- Dimensions:30 1/4 x 25 in. (76.8 x 63.5 cm)
- Credit Line:Rogers Fund, 1906
- Object Number:06.195
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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After Henry Inman (American, Utica, New York 1801–1846 New York)
1829
Henry Inman (American, Utica, New York 1801–1846 New York)
April 4, 1829
Henry Inman (American, Utica, New York 1801–1846 New York)
ca. 1825
Henry Inman (American, Utica, New York 1801–1846 New York)
February 15, 1851
After Henry Inman (American, Utica, New York 1801–1846 New York)
1832
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