Thomas Hilson as Tyke
Medium
Engraving on chine collé
Dimensions
sheet: 6 7/16 x 5 1/16 in. (16.4 x 12.8 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Frederic F. Durand, 1930
Accession Number
30.15.8
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of 19th American theater with *Thomas Hilson as Ty* (1826), a delicate engraving on chine collé crafted by a talented team: painters John B. Neagle Asher Brown Durand, alongside engravers A. R. Poole and Thomas Hinson This intimate portrait captures British-American actor Thomas Hilson in celebrated role as the quirky, loyal servant Tyke from George Colman's popular comedy *The Heir at Law*. just 6 7/16 x 5 1/16 inches, it was a clever way to bring stage stars into homes, making theater accessible beyond the footlights. The medium shines here: engraving on chine collé involves printing on thin, luxurious Chinese paper then mounting it on sturdy support, allowing for exquisite detail and subtle tones in a compact format. Neagle's realistic portrait style, infused with Durand's precise line work, highlights Hilson's expressive face and theatrical flair, reflecting the era's booming print culture. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1930 by Mrs. Frederic F. Durand, this print underscores the cultural craze for actor portraits in antebellum America. It preserves a slice of performance history, inviting us to imagine Hilson's lively portrayal and the applause that followed.
About the Artist
John B. Neagle|Asher Brown Durand|A. R. Poole|Thomas Hinson (American|American|American|British) · 1796 |1796 |1800 |1784 –1866 |1886 |1850 |1834
American, Boston, Massachusetts 1796–1866 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|American, Jefferson, New Jersey 1796–1886 Maplewood, New Jersey|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|British, 1784–1834 Louisiana