The critic, or, Tragedy rehears'd

British Museum. Dept. of Prints and Drawings. Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum (1870-1954) (George): 7058
Folger bibliographic ID: 234319
Folger call number: ART 265- 974
Folger holdings ID: 286220
Accession Number: 265974

A satire on the relationship between the actress Mary Wells and the journalist-playwright Edward Topham. The two stand facing each other in profile, as Topham apparently coaches Mrs. Wells in a tragic role. Topham, to the viewer's right, wears regimentals with a cocked hat and overly large buckles on his low shoes. He holds an eye-glass to his right eye and, in his left hand, holds a book inscribed "Wells/Toph[am]." Mrs. Wells stands as if running forward, her arms outstretched, a dagger falling to the ground before her. Two pictures, very freely sketched, are on the wall. In one (right) a woman draws water from a well (indicating Mrs. Wells); in the other are two men on horseback, the foremost seems to be using a speaking-trumpet; they perhaps indicate the puffing of Mrs. Wells by Topham

General notes

Title from item Description based on example trimmed within plate mark

Item information about Folger ART 265- 974

Hand-colored. Trimmed within plate mark Adopted by Twiss and Patrick Butler, Acquisitions Night 2012

Extended title: The critic, or, Tragedy rehears'd R.T. delin
Alternate titles: Tragedy rehears'd

Topham, Edward, 1751-1820 Wells, Mary, approximately 1759- Actors

depiction: Topham, Edward, 1751-1820
depiction: Wells, Mary, approximately 1759-
artist: R. T., active approximately 1786
publisher: Fores, S. W.