John Philip Kemble (1757–1823), as Richard in 'Richard III' by William Shakespeare 1788

Editor: Here we have William Hamilton’s painting, “John Philip Kemble as Richard in ‘Richard III’ by William Shakespeare,” dating to 1788. The look of horror on his face jumps out. What strikes you when you see this portrait? Curator: Oh, the raw, unfiltered emotion! Hamilton's captured Kemble at his most vulnerable, a delicious peek behind the theatrical curtain. See how he uses the light, almost violently, to carve out Richard’s panic against the murky stage. And isn't it marvelous how Kemble’s very posture – that ungainly sprawl – speaks volumes about his unraveling? It's like watching a Shakespearean train wreck in slow motion. Editor: It's definitely theatrical. Do you think it leans more towards flattery or truth in its depiction? Curator: Hmmm, a loaded question! While undeniably romanticized—I mean, have you seen the breeches?—there’s also an honesty here that transcends mere portraiture. It's as if Hamilton's aiming for a psychological snapshot. And really, what’s more flattering than immortalizing a man's passion, his dedication to the craft, eh? It asks us to feel Richard’s nightmare along with Kemble’s embodiment of the role. Editor: That's interesting. So, less about historical accuracy, more about capturing a feeling? Curator: Precisely! Think of it as a concentrated shot of late 18th-century theatrical fervor mixed with a hefty dose of Romantic sensibility. That's the Hamilton special! What do *you* think? Is he pulling it off? Editor: I'm convinced! I’ll never see Shakespeare the same way. Curator: Excellent! And isn’t that the power of art? To rattle our cages, to open new chambers in the labyrinth of our minds!