David Garrick
- Artist: Sir Joshua Reynolds
- Artist: Thomas Watson
- Date: circa 1775
- Medium: mezzotint
- Dimensions: Long Term Loan
- Portrays: David Garrick
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is “David Garrick.” Look at his face—softly rendered with careful shading that gives depth to his eyes and mouth. He’s turned slightly to the right, holding a book in one hand; you can see its worn cover, hinting at a love of literature. The background shows shelves of books, a quiet library setting that frames him in scholarly surroundings.
The image is not a painting but a mezzotint print made by Thomas Watson after a design by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Mezzotint uses heavy roughening of the plate to create deep blacks, then careful scraping to reveal lighter tones; it gives this portrait a rich, almost velvety texture.
David Garrick (1717‑1779) was an actor, playwright and theatre manager—he’s often seen in dramatic roles on stage, but here he appears calm and contemplative. The print dates from around 1775, the period when Reynolds and Watson were active in London’s art world. This portrait captures Garrick’s likeness with a quiet dignity that invites you to imagine the theater lights behind his thoughtful gaze.
See it in person
David Garrick is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
