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William Henry West Betty (1791–1874), the 'Young Roscius'

British School

English Heritage, The Wellington Collection, Apsley House

William Henry West Betty (1791–1874), the 'Young Roscius'

Image credit: Historic England Archive

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The appearance of Master Betty, known by the name of the 'Young Roscius’, an infant prodigy capable of arousing mass adulation, was the main event of the London theatre season of 1804–1805. From his debut as Selim in 'Barbarossa' at Covent Garden on 1st December 1804, and through his roles as Romeo, Hamlet, Richard III and Young Norval in Home’s 'Douglas' in 1805–1806, he had London at his feet. But his prominence declined almost as quickly as it had risen. In 1808 he retired from the stage to enter Christ’s College, Cambridge. During the period of his fame, from the age of 13 to 15, he was portrayed by the leading portrait painters of the time. However, this painting is not very similar to any of the principal images.

English Heritage, The Wellington Collection, Apsley House

London

Title

William Henry West Betty (1791–1874), the 'Young Roscius'

Date

c.1805

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 58 x W 49 cm

Accession number

WM.1552-1948

Acquisition method

management transferred from the Victoria and Albert Museum to English Heritage, 2004

Work type

Painting

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English Heritage, The Wellington Collection, Apsley House

149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, London, Greater London W1J 7NT England

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British School

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