William Henry West Betty, the 'Young Roscius' (1791-1874) as Norval in John Home's 'Douglas'
James Northcote, RA (Plymouth 1746 – London 1831)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1804 (inscribed on reverse)
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
762 x 635 mm (30 x 25 in)
Order this imageCollection
Attingham Park, Shropshire
NT 608962
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, William Henry West Betty, the 'Young Roscius' (1791-1874) as Norval in Jonh Home's 'Douglas' by James Northcote RA (Plymouth 1746 – London 1831), 1804. A half-length portrait, of the young actor born in Shrewsbury who was known as the 'Young Roscius' (Roscius was the most celebrated Roman actor, who taught Cicero the art of oratory), facing, head turned three-quarters to right, curly hair, wearing armour and a green plaid over his shoulders; left hand holds a sword hilt, the other hand rests on top. The most celebrated portrait of him, showing him in the same role in John Home's 'Douglas' by Opie is in the National Portrait Gallery. Actor, called the 'Young Roscius'. He was born in Shrewsbury and began his career at the age of 11 after seeing Sarah Siddons. He played Romeo in Belfast and Hamlet and Prince Arthur at Dublin 1803; played at Cork, Waterford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and at Covent Garden and Drury Lane, 1804; appeared on alternate nights at Drury Lane, 1804, adding Richard III and Macbeth to his Shakespearian repetoire; last appeared as a boy actor at Bath, 1808; fellow-commoner of Christ's College, Cambridge, 1808 where he studied for two years; returned to the stage in 1812, and finally retired in 1824.
Provenance
Inscribed on the back as having been panted for T. Lister of Browsholme; Attingham collection; bequeathed to the National Trust with the estate, house and contents of Attingham by Thomas Henry Noel-Hill, 8th Baron Berwick (1877-1947) on 15th May 1953.
Credit line
Attingham Park, The Berwick Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
The first portrait of Master Wm Henry West Betty ever done ...for J.Lister Parker Esqr of Browsholme by JS Northcote 1804
Makers and roles
James Northcote, RA (Plymouth 1746 – London 1831), artist