Thomas Worlidge (1700-66)
Mr Theophilus Cibber, the Comedian 1735
Pencil on vellum | 31.5 x 22.1 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 452429
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A pencil drawing, on vellum, of the actor Theophilus Cibber. Signed: Thos: Worlidge Fecit 1735, inscribed with the title.
Theophilus Cibber, son of Coley Cibber, may be shown in the character of Lord Foppington from John Vanbrugh's The Relapse, Or Virtue in Danger (1696). The figure was engraved by R. Clamp and published in 1794. Originally from Cambridgeshire, Worlidge went to London in the 1730s where he lived in Covent Garden. His proximity to the theatres probably explains the fact that many of his works from this early period are theatrical portraits.Provenance
Perhaps the drawing owned by Sir William Musgrave, his sale (Richardson, 1800, day 23, lot 65: 'One - Theophilus Cibber, actor, an original drawing, by T. Worlidge, 1735, on vellum, fine'), where purchased by 'Thompson'; purchased by George IV when Prince of Wales from Colnaghi & Co. on 21 June 1810 for £2 2s (Royal Archives GEO/MAIN/27534)
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Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Pencil on vellum
Measurements
31.5 x 22.1 cm (sheet of paper)
38.3 x 28.6 cm (frame, external)
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
RL 17029
