Edmund Kean
- Artist: Unknown artist
- Date: 1814
- Medium: etching
- Dimensions: Long Term Loan
- Portrays: Edmund Kean
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is an etching of Edmund Kean, the celebrated English actor born in 1787. The black‑white lines capture him in profile, eyes fixed on the viewer, with a hint of a hat—typical of stage costumes at that time. Notice the fine cross‑hatching that gives his face texture and the subtle shading around his collar. The piece dates to about 1814 or earlier, made by an unknown artist. It was lent for long‑term display from John Murray and now resides in the National Portrait Gallery in London, where you’re looking at it right now.
See it in person
Edmund Kean 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.
