Mr. Mathews in his "At Home" of 1821
Isaac Robert Cruikshank British
Subject Charles Mathews British
Not on view
Mathews was an acclaimed comic actor hugely popular in London between 1818 and 1834. His talents for mimicry, facial and physical contortion, and ventriloquism were used to embody multiple characters and poke fun at a range of social and national types. His annual "At Homes" (one-man theatrical performances that presented roles in quick succession) featured a range of accents, quick costume changes, and songs and were avidly anticipated theatrical events each Spring. The characters this print relate to his 1821 "At Home" and include Daniel O'Rourke (an Irish sailor), Mrs. Tulip (a tall and lusty widow), Monsieur Jeu-singe (a French trainer of dancing dogs), Isaac Tabinel (a Jewish merchant), Major Longbow (an aeoronaut), and Theophilus Tulip (Mrs. Tulip's ineffectual son).
