The German-born Johann Zoffany probably arrived in London in 1760, where he soon earned the support of the celebrated actor and playwright David Garrick, who was also director of the Drury Lane Theatre. Zoffany painted the actor in numerous roles. Here he appears as the protagonist of Venice Preserved, a drama by Thomas Otway published in 1682, with the actress Susannah Maria Cibber by his side. The play was one of the greatest theatrical successes of the period, and Garrick is seen here at the climax of the action, performing at his own theatre in a production of 1762. The stage set shows Venice’s Grand Canal and the church of Santa Maria della Salute. In accordance with contemporary custom, the actors are dressed not in authentic costumes, but in the fashionable English attire of the time.
Benkő, Éva – Garas, Klára – Urbach, Zsuzsa, Ember, Ildikó – Takács, Imre (eds.), Old Masters’ Gallery Summary Catalogue Vol. 3: German, Austrian, Bohemian and British Paintings 3, Budapest, p. 150.
Pigler, Andor, Katalog der Galerie Alter Meister, 1-2. Museum der Bildenden Künste, Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest. 2, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 1967, p. 785.
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