Who painted Richard II?

Richard II was painted by John Hamilton Mortimer in 1775.

Where can I see Richard II?

Richard II is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Richard II?

Richard II is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Richard II?

Museum-quality prints of Richard II are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Richard II

John Hamilton Mortimer , 1775

Richard II is a print by the Romanticist artist John Hamilton Mortimer. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2002.58
Credit line: Gift of various donors to the department of Prints and Drawings

About this work

Overview

This print, titled 'Richard II', is a dramatic etching by John Hamilton Mortimer, created as part of a series of Shakespearean characters between 1775 and 1776.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts King Richard II overshadowed by the skeletal figure of death, conveying a sense of tension and foreboding, drawing inspiration from Shakespeare's play.

Technique & Style

Mortimer's use of chiaroscuro, evident in the shadows, adds to the dramatic effect, reflecting his Romantic sensibility and affinity for themes from English literature.

History & Provenance

Mortimer was a rising star in English art, becoming president of the Society of Artists of Great Britain in 1774, but his career was cut short by his death at thirty-nine.

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Artist & collection

Artist

John Hamilton Mortimer

John Hamilton Mortimer (17 September 1740 – 4 February 1779) was a British figure and landscape painter and printmaker, known for romantic paintings set in Italy, works depicting conversations, and works drawn in the…