Skip to main content
, English, 1727-1788
Title
Portrait of James Quin (1693-1766), Actor
Date1763
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
231 x 150 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1904
Object numberNGI.565
Label TextQuin was a renowned Shakespearian actor, famous for his declamatory style. His slow, impressive delivery and large figure gave him great stage presence. He made his first stage appearance in Dublin at the Smock Alley Theatre in 1712, but made his name at Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres in London. In the 1740s his supremacy was challenged by David Garrick, who favoured a new, more naturalistic style of acting. Michael Rysbrack’s bust of Shakespeare can be seen in the background. Gainsborough’s fellow artist Ozias Humphry described the portrait as being ‘of uncommon fire and vigour’.

This website uses cookies

We use optional cookies to enhance your user experience and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services.

Details

About Cookies

Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. This site uses different types of cookies. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. You can at any time change or withdraw your consent from the Cookie Declaration on our website. Learn more about who we are, how you can contact us and how we process personal data in our Privacy Policy. Please state your consent ID and date when you contact us regarding your consent.

Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

Name Provider Purpose Expiry Type
JSESSIONID eMuseum User Session Session HTTP

Statistics Cookies

Statistic cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

Name Provider Purpose Expiry Type
_ga Google Tag Manager Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. 2 years JavaScript
_gid Google Tag Manager Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. 1 day JavaScript
Allow only necessary Allow all