Samuel De Wilde

De Wilde studied at the Royal Academy Schools from 1769. He became well known for his theatrical portraits, which he exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1792 until 1821. His career in theatrical portraiture began when he was employed by John Bell as portraitist for his publication British Theatre, a series that ran from 1791 until 1795. De Wilde provided ninety-three pictures for the series, by which time his reputation had been established. Many actors and actresses came to sit to him and his theatrical portraits adorned numerous publications, including the Monthly Mirror, John Cawthorn 's Minor British Theatre and William Oxberry's New English Drama.

Text © National Portrait Gallery, London