Antique Engraving The Vicissitudes of an Actor – Proteus 'pulling them in' at Bartholomew Fair by Theodore Lane

This historical artwork is a hand-colored engraving titled “The Vicissitudes of an Actor – Proteus 'pulling them in' at Bartholomew Fair”.

Drawn and etched by the English illustrator Theodore Lane (1800–1828).

It was created as a full-page color plate for the celebrated satirical book “The Life of an Actor” (originally published in parts in 1825), written by the popular Regency journalist and social chronicler Pierce Egan.

Beneath the image is a famous line adapted from William Shakespeare’s Macbeth: "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, / And then is heard no more.

The scene captures the chaotic energy of London's historic Bartholomew Fair at Smithfield, specifically focusing on the bustling outdoor stage of Richardson’s “Traveling Theatre” (indicated by the large "RICHARDSON" banner at the top). John Richardson was famous for running a massive traveling mega-booth that brought rapid-fire theatrical shows to fairground masses.

The narrative details of the engraving showcase: The book's central character, an aspiring actor named Peregrine Proteus, is shown on the elevated platform actively barking, gesturing, and "pulling" the crowds inside to buy tickets for the next quick-turn performance.

The Fair Performers: Surrounding Proteus on stage is a Motley assortment of costumed characters designed to lure the audience, including actors dressed as Roman soldiers, tragic heroines, musicians, Harlequins, and masked clowns.

The Crowd: Below the stage, a diverse, dense milling audience representing all social stratas of Regency-era London society gathers around the booth, capturing a vivid slice of 19th-century working-class street entertainment and popular culture.

Measures Approximately: Paper size 6” x 9”; image size  4 1/4” x 7”

 

Condition: Some foxing, spots, tanning at the edges, small tears/ chips along the edges of the margin. Sale as is (check photos please). Unframed.

Location: AG_#350_ _