Lear
John Hamilton Mortimer · March 15, 1776 (originally published); published 1809 · Art Institute of Chicago
Guide
Adjust the guideNew to it · Medium
Looking for this guide.
From the museum
Part of the same series of heads that includes the image of Beatrice, this work depicts the crazed King Lear as he gazes skyward. His eyes bulge and his hair whips about his face as he considers his own misdeeds and tragedy. John Hamilton Mortimer expertly captured the despair and loss of control Lear feels in this moment. The old king cries out the monologue quoted below the image.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC BY 4.0
What did you think?
Save this work’s image and museum information on this device to read without a connection.
Ask about this work
Ask in your own words. The answer comes from what the museum has written about the work, and says so when that does not hold it.
Details
- Maker
- John Hamilton Mortimer, English, 1740-1779
- Date
- March 15, 1776 (originally published); published 1809
- Medium
- Etching on cream wove paper
- Dimensions
- Plate: 40.3 × 32 cm (15 7/8 × 12 5/8 in.); Sheet: 58.7 × 44.4 cm (23 1/8 × 17 1/2 in.)
- Place of origin
- England
- Held by
- Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · Not on view
- Credit line
- Mary S. Adams Endowment
Image: Art Institute of Chicago, CC0
