Portret van de toneelspeler David Garrick in de rol van een thuisgekomen boer 1766

Johann Gottfried Haid created this print, "Portret van de toneelspeler David Garrick in de rol van een thuisgekomen boer", sometime in the 18th century. It depicts the celebrated actor David Garrick in character, returning home to a scene of domestic surprise. Amidst the backdrop of the 1700s, when societal roles were sharply defined, Garrick was known for his naturalistic acting style. Here, the print captures a moment laden with the politics of performance and identity. Note the contrast between Garrick's refined attire and the rustic setting, his theatrical ‘disguise’ signals a blurring of class lines, characteristic of the theatrical world. Consider the emotional dynamics, the wife’s shock, and the child’s curiosity, all playing out in response to the patriarch’s return. The print invites us to reflect on how identity is both performed and perceived, challenging the rigid social structures of the time. Ultimately, this piece compels us to ponder the ways in which performance intersects with our understanding of self and society. It's a reminder that identity, much like a role on stage, is something we continuously enact and negotiate.