Edmund Kean as Richard III
- Artist: James Asperne
- Artist: Thomas Blood
- Artist: Samuel Drummond
- Date: 1814
- Medium: stipple
- 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 a portrait of the actor Edmund Kean as King Richard III, created in 1814 by engraver Thomas Blood and published by bookseller James Asperne after the painter Samuel Drummond. The image uses stipple—a technique that builds form with tiny dots—giving the figure a soft yet detailed texture. Kean wears a feathered hat and livery chain, jewels at his neck, all rendered in careful staccato strokes. In character he looks directly at us, hinting at both drama and courtly pageantry.
See it in person
Edmund Kean as Richard III 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.
