Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy.

David Garrick

Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

David Garrick was born in Hereford but, like Dr Johnson, grew up in Lichfield. When Johnson opened his ill-fated school in 1735, Garrick was one of the few pupils, and the two men travelled to London together in March 1737. His distinguishing characteristic was what his friend, Johnson, called his 'universality'. Garrick first appeared on the London stage in 1741 and went on to achieve huge success as an actor, playwright and theatre manager. Both as an actor and as manager of Drury Lane Theatre, he changed the face of theatrical performance. Throughout his life, he and Johnson remained friends although, at times, Johnson disliked Garrick's vanity and 'buffoonery'.
Described as 'very like' when seen by Horace Walpole at the Royal Academy exhibition in 1770, the portrait was retained by Gainsborough in his studio for two years while he made a copy which he told Garrick was intended 'to hang in my own parlour, to look when I please at a Great Man, who has thought me worthy of some little notice'.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

David Garrick

Date

1770

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 75.6 x W 63.2 cm

Accession number

5054

Acquisition method

Purchased, 1975

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Normally on display at

National Portrait Gallery, London

St Martin’s Place, London, Greater London WC2H 0HE England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue