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Catalog Data

Artist:
Henry Perronet Briggs, c. 1791 - 18 Jan 1844  Search this
Sitter:
Ira Frederick Aldridge, 24 Jul 1807 - 10 Aug 1867  Search this
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
Stretcher: 128.3 x 103.5 x 5.1cm (50 1/2 x 40 3/4 x 2")
Frame: 162.6 x 136.8 x 12.7cm (64 x 53 7/8 x 5")
Type:
Painting
Date:
c. 1830
Exhibition Label:
Born New York City
Ira Aldridge was the first American actor to achieve European renown. He began his career with the all-Black African Grove Theatre in New York City but left the United States at seventeen to seek professional opportunities across the Atlantic. When he appeared in starring roles in London in 1825, theater critics disparaged his performances in racist terms. Aldridge spent the next twenty-five years touring provincial British theaters, steadily winning acclaim for roles ranging from Shakespearean tragedy to slapstick comedy.
Turning racial difference to his advantage, Aldridge promoted himself as “The African Tragedian” and claimed descent from a Senegalese prince. He made Othello his signature role but also performed in abolitionist melodramas and played Shylock, Macbeth, and Richard III in whiteface. Aldridge’s career reached its zenith during tours of Russia, France, and Poland in the 1850s and 1860s. He was planning a triumphant U.S. tour at the time of his death.
Nacido en la Ciudad de Nueva York
Ira Aldridge fue el primer actor estadounidense que logró fama en Europa. Comenzó su carrera con el African Grove Theatre de Nueva York, compuesto de actores negros, pero a sus 17 años cruzó el Atlántico en busca de oportunidades profesionales. Cuando interpretó papeles protagónicos en Londres en 1825, los críticos atacaron su actuación en términos racistas. Aldridge pasó los próximos 25 años de gira por los teatros británicos de provincias, ganándose el aplauso en roles que iban de la tragedia shakespeariana a la bufonada.
Sacando partido de la diferencia racial, Aldridge se anunciaba como “el actor trágico africano” y decía ser descendiente de un príncipe senegalés. Su rol emblemático fue Otelo, pero también actuó en melodramas abolicionistas e interpretó a Shylock, Macbeth y Ricardo III, con maquillaje blanco. Su carrera culminó con giras por Rusia, Francia y Polonia en las décadas de 1850 y 1860. Planeaba una gira triunfal en EE.UU. cuando murió.
Provenance:
Sir George Alexander; presented in 1907 to The Garrick Club, London; sold to NPG 1972.
Topic:
Costume\Jewelry\Necklace  Search this
Costume\Jewelry\Earring  Search this
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair  Search this
Costume\Jewelry\Ring  Search this
Interior\Performing Arts\Theatrical\Stage  Search this
Costume\Outerwear\Cape  Search this
Ira Frederick Aldridge: Male  Search this
Ira Frederick Aldridge: Performing Arts\Performer\Actor  Search this
Portrait  Search this
Credit Line:
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Object number:
NPG.72.73
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition:
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View:
NPG, East Gallery 124
Data Source:
National Portrait Gallery
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4ab4a00e6-ea82-41ff-bf54-0c299c33d0eb
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:npg_NPG.72.73