1116651

Portrait of John Johnston , Actor fl 1742-1781 #1116651

Currency:USD Category:Art Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:0.00 USD
Portrait of John Johnston , Actor fl 1742-1781 #1116651
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Portrait of John Johnston , Actor (floruit 1742-1781), By Benjamin Van Der Gucht 1753-1794 </em></td>
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English family of artists of Flemish origin. (1) Michael Vandergucht left Antwerp for London before 1700. He trained his sons (2) Gerard Vandergucht and (3) John Vandergucht, both of whom, like their father, were primarily active as book illustrators. Gerard had at least thirty children, but only one, (4) Benjamin Vandergucht, pursued an artistic career, becoming a painter and picture dealer.

Johnston's first named part was on the 6th November 1756 as Gibby in a revival of The Wonder or a Woman Keeps a secret, by Susannah Centlivre, in which Garrick played Don Felix also for the first time. John Johnson was a regular performer in the Drury Lane company by 1751-2. He played in Harlequin Ranger in Janurary 1752, performing this role again in the following season, in addition to various other parts including one of the witches in Macbeth, and several female characters in pantomine. He played characters both in plays and in pantomime for the following twebty-five seasons, although he never rose to prominence.

In 1766 he bacame the secretary of the Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, of which Garrick was Chairman. The date of his death is not known, but he was playing at Drury Lane until at least 1780-81. Johnston's wife Helen also performed at Drury Lane at this time, and in the 1770's they lived neraby at 97, Craven buildings. A master Johnston, who sang at Drury Lane and Ranelagh Gardens in 1762 may have been their son.
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<td>Reference
#: 2924</td>
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<tr><td>Condition:Good </td></tr>
<tr><td>Year:18th Century </td></tr>
<tr><td>Country:UK</td></tr>
<tr><td>Maker:Benjamin Van Der Gucht</td></tr>
<tr><td>Height:30</td></tr>

<tr><td>Width:25</td></tr>

<tr><td>Title:Portrait of John Johnston , Actor fl 1742-1781</td></tr>
<tr><td>Style:Traditional </td></tr>

<tr><td>Type:Oil on Canvas</td></tr>
<tr><td>Location:london uk</td></tr>
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