Richard Cumberland

Maker George Romney (British, 1734-1802)

Formerformerly attributed to Nathaniel Dance-Holland (British, 1735-1811)

SitterSitter: Richard Cumberland (British, 1732 - 1811)

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Dateca. 1771

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensionscanvas: 29 3/4 × 25 in. (75.6 × 63.5 cm.) frame: 38 7/8 × 34 1/4 × 4 5/8 in. (98.7 × 87 × 11.7 cm.)

DescriptionSeated, bust length, at writing desk, quill pen in proper right hand, faced turned three quarters left. Dressed in dark blue coat with brass buttons and red collar, white ruffles at cuffs. Dark grey powdered hair. Expression of concentration or inspiration. Sheet of paper with written composition in front of him on desk.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Bequest of Florence M. Quinn

Status

On view

Label TextRichard Cumberland, the famous playwright, is shown deep in thought, holding pen to paper. Romney was advised by the actor David Garrick to give Cumberland “something to do.” Garrick went on to say, “If you can once set him down well to his writing, who knows but in time he may write something in your praise?” And in fact, Cumberland did write about his friend Romney, publishing the artist’s posthumous memoir in 1803.

Bibliography

British paintings at the Huntington

Object number44.103