Mr. Foote in the Character of Major Sturgeon, in the Mayor of Garrat

About this work

This print shows two men in a dimly lit room. The man on the left wears a fancy military uniform with lots of buttons, a wig, and a sword. The man on the right stands in a richly decorated coat, holding a cane, with a tricorn hat tucked under his arm. Behind them, the wall is lined with weapons like rifles and pistols, and there’s a fireplace with a shield above it. The title says this is a scene from a play called *The Mayor of Garrat*, where the actor Foote plays the role of Major Sturgeon. The print uses shading to make the figures stand out against the dark background. Check out the technique: chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and shadow this way.