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Mr. Hackett, in the Character of Rip Van Winkle

Mr. Hackett, in the Character of Rip Van Winkle
Artist
Henry Inman, 28 Oct 1801 - 17 Jan 1846
Sitter
James Henry Hackett, 15 Mar 1800 - 28 Dec 1871
Date
c. 1832
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 76.8 x 64.1 x 2.5cm (30 1/4 x 25 1/4 x 1")
Frame: 105.4 x 92.1 x 10.2cm (41 1/2 x 36 1/4 x 4")
Topic
Weapon\Gun\Rifle
Exterior\Landscape\Rural
Nature & Environment\Animal\Bird\Owl
James Henry Hackett: Male
James Henry Hackett: Literature\Writer
James Henry Hackett: Performing Arts\Performer\Actor\Stage actor
James Henry Hackett: Performing Arts\Theater manager
Portrait
Place
United States\New York\Kings\New York
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.96.47
Exhibition Label
James Henry Hackett 1800–1871
Born New York City
A character actor who specialized in comic “types,” James Henry Hackett was among the first performers to parlay a successful theatrical career in the United States into triumph on the British stage. Prior to his theatrical debut in 1826, Hackett had amused friends with his gift for mimicry. He later drew on his talent for imitating regional dialects and characteristics in a succession of comic roles. President Abraham Lincoln, an avid theatergoer, was particularly intrigued by Hackett’s performances, and invited him to the White House in 1863 to discuss Shakespeare. Hackett later moved into theater management, producing, and playwriting.
This painting shows Hackett in the role of Rip Van Winkle, as performed in an 1830 production based on Washington Irving’s 1819 story. The role was particularly appropriate for the young United States: Sometime before 1775, the colonial Rip falls asleep and awakens twenty years later, astonished by his transformed world.
Nacido en la Ciudad de Nueva York
Actor de reparto especializado en “tipos” cómicos, James Henry Hackett fue uno de los primeros artistas de teatro cuya exitosa carrera en EE.UU. tuvo paralelo en los escenarios británicos. Antes de su debut en 1826, Hackett divertía a sus amistades con su talento de imitador, el cual luego aplicó en una serie de papeles cómicos para imitar dialectos y características regionales. Las actuaciones de Hackett le interesaron al presidente Abraham Lincoln, amante del teatro, quien lo invitó a la Casa Blanca en 1863 para hablar de Shakespeare. Hackett fue luego administrador, productor y escritor teatral.
Aquí aparece Hackett en el papel de Rip Van Winkle, tal como se presentó en una producción de 1830 basada en el cuento de 1819 de Washington Irving. El personaje era muy apropiado para la joven nación estadounidense: Rip, aldeano de la época colonial, se queda dormido antes de 1775 y despierta 20 años después en un mundo completamente transformado.
Provenance
(Sotheby’s, New York, May 22, 1996, lot 85); purchased 1996 NPG
According to sale catalog, previous owners were James Henry Hackett and James Ricau.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View
NPG, East Gallery 124