Historical Entertainment Scenes

Dramatic illustrations depicting theatrical performances, minstrels, and gatherings from various historical contexts and styles.

Minstrels and Jugglers at Court, Anonymous

'Christopher Sly (Taming of the Shrew)', c1870. Creator: Charles W Sharpe.

Minstrels and Jugglers at Court, Anonymous

The emperor Napoleon and Empress Marie Louise escaping from a fire during a ball. 1810. Engraving, 19th century.

The Pensioner Entertainment. Illustration from the Charles Dickens novel Little Dorrit by Hablot Knight Browne (1815-1882) English artist known as Phiz

Figaro teases Cherubini about what he can expect when he goes to do his military service... Date: first performed 1786

The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens, first published in the weekly serial Master Humphrey's Clock from 1840 to 1841 and then as its own book in 1841. "Would the gentleman like this room" said a voice. Quilp offers his room to the single gentleman. Date: C.1850

Mary Shelley Frankenstein (1818) providing the inspiration for an 'extravaganza' produced at the Adelphi Theatre, London, January 1850.

William Shakespeare as an actor in chains on stage, theatre, performance, England, Historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original, coloured, William Shakespeare as an actor in chains on stage, theatre, performance, historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original, coloured

Engraving showing a large crowd at the Pit Entrance of the Drury Lane Theatre, 1790. The crowd were excited by the presence of Sarah Siddons (1727-1788), the pre-eminent tragic actress of her time, at the theatre. Date: 26 July 1890

Barium. Using bitrate of baryta mixed with sulpher and charcoal to produce green light during ghost scene.

ESCENA DE LA COMEDIA EL SI DE LAS NINAS - GRABADO DE 1806. Author: FERNANDEZ DE MORATIN LEANDRO. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Engraving depicting a dramatic scene from the opera 'I Lombardi' by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), being performed at Her Majesty's Theatre. Dated 19th Century

'The Penny Gaff', 1872. The penny gaff was a popular form of theatre for the working classes in 19th-century England. From, "LONDON. A Pilgrimage" by Gustave Dore and Blanchard Jerrold. Grant and Co., 72-78, Turnmill Street, E.C., 1872.

Illustration depicting a drunken orgy on St. Patrick's Day, by George Cruikshank (1792-1878) a British caricaturist and book illustrator. Dated 19th Century

TRILBY Svengali plays his flageolet. Date: First published: 1894

Engraving depicting men playing Tric-Trac. Dated 19th century

William Shakespeare as an actor in chains on stage, theatre, performance, England, historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original, coloured.

Historic drawing, musicians with musical instruments

Chinese theater performance held at the Royal Theater of California, United States. Engraving.

Scene from the new drama of "Martin Chuzzlewit" at the Lyceum Theatre, 1844. Production of Charles Dickens' novel "Martin Chuzzlewit" on the London stage. 'Pecksniff and Tom Pinch are admirably personated by Messrs. F. Mathews and Meadows. Mary Graham is rendered still more interesting by Miss Fortescue's representation of her, and Master Bailey, the Boots at Mrs. Todgers' boarding-house, is irresistibly impudent and droll as performed by Mrs. Keeley. Keeley, himself, was immense in the part of Old Mother Gamp, the monthly nurse'. From "Illustrated London News", 1

The Bottle, scene 8 Arrested for murder, the husband is crazed with the horror of his downfall Date: 1847

Theatre scene from The Return of the Husband, Le Retour du Mari, Comedy in one act and in verse, the man shoots the rival, 1869, France, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century original, exact original date unknown, Europe

'Queen Elizabeth And Shakespeare', 16th century, (c1850). Artist: Unknown

Two men having an argument or disagreement in the street outside a theatre, c. 1800 Date: C.1800

Mr.Pickwick addresses the club. Illustration from the Charles Dickens novel The Pickwick Papers by Robert Seymour, 1800-1836.

'New Years Night in South Russia', 1886. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886".

Gambling, Raffle, The lottery ticket, The woman has bought a lottery ticket and shows it to the family, Family scene in France around 1850, Historic, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original

Magic group, Test for the event, Koemodianten, Circus, Artists, Scurile Gestalten, Historic, Digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th-century master copy

An engraving depicting children in the East End of London enjoying a magic lantern show. Dated 19th century

The Fools' Theatre in a Medieval Castle, For the Amusement of the People, Historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original

Christmas Pantomimes and Burlesques: scene from "Wat Tyler, at the Gaiety Theatre, 1870. London stage production of "Wat Tyler, M.P.: An Operatic Extravaganza" by George Augustus Sala. 'Mr. Sala's "Wat Tyler" serves the purpose of a Christmas piece at the Gaiety, for which, indeed, its brilliant appointments suit it expressly. We give an Illustration from it of Wat Tyler addressing his supporters. Having already noticed the drama, further remark is unnecessary'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.

Act III, Scene III Dogberry gathers together a watch to guard Don Pedro, the prince Date: 19th century

Twelfth Night, or, What You Will. Act II. Scene III. Olivia´s House. Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Maria. From The Boydell Shakespeare Gallery published late 19th century. After a painting by William Hamilton.

Fagins Political School: Reform of Parliament - extension of the franchise. Disraeli carried the Reform Bill through the Commons in 1867, claiming credit for acceptance of the legislation. Here he is shown picking it from the pocket of Lord John Russell. John Tenniel cartoon from Punch, London, 9 November 1867.

Shakespeare Othello Act 3 Sc.3: Iago leads Othello to believe that Desdemona is unfaithful. 19th century engraving.

Trial under Charles VII against the Duke of Alencon for high treason at Vendome in 1458, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, e...

Men’s costumes in the fourteenth century fool and dwarf, vintage engraved illustration. Colorful History of England, 1837.

SPRING MEETING OF THE ALL ENGLAND CROQUET CLUB AT WIMBLEDON, 1872 engraving

Henry Iriving (1838-1905) English actor-manager, playing in the first production of 'The Bells' which made him famous overnight. Here Mathias (Irving) dreams of the incident 15 years before when he killed a Polish Jew. Lyceum Theatre, London, 1871. From 'The Illustrated London News' (London, 1871). Engraving.

Gustaf III dies as a result of wounds from an assassin at a masked ball at the Stockholm opera. Verdi will write a splendid opera on the subject. Date: 29 March 1792

The beheaded man, scene performed by clowns at the Barnum circus in New York, USA. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1890

Allemande, a processional dance, woodcut, 1888

Romeo & Juliet Act II Scene VI, Juliet greets the friar with Libby, McNeill & Libby's meats. 'Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both.' , Adults, Theatrical productions, Meat, Canned foods, 19th Century American Trade Cards

'At the Cabaret', 19th century, (1930).Artist: Constantin Guys

Nicholas astonishes Mr.Squeers and family. Illustration from the Charles Dickens novel Nicholas Nickleby by H.K. Browne known as Phiz

Fishermen's dance, Mierzeja Kurońska, wood engraving, 1880

Cartoon depicting 'Horn Boys' who would blow their horn in order to get attention of people before they would announce the headlines of the newspaper. Dated 19th century

Robert Powel the Puppet Show man. British Cartoon Prints Collection .

Shakespeare 'Othello' Act 5: Desdemona and Emilia lie dead, Othello has stabbed himself and Iago is taken prisoner. 19th century engraving.

The Scott Centenary: scene from "Rob Roy", at the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, 1871. 'No more popular novel could be revived in a dramatic form for Scotland than "Rob Roy."...This "great national drama" has been excellently produced by Mr. Wyndham, who delivered an appropriate address by Lord Neaves on the evening in question. The torrent of real water adds to the beauty of a Highland scene; while Mr. Brunton's pictures of loch scenery and other localities haunted by Rob Roy also set the play off to great advantage. As the Scottish outlaw, Mr. J. B. Howard acted with

Polterabend is a German wedding custom in which guests smash china the night in front of the wedding to bring good luck to the couple, here in Hamburg, Germany, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, exact original date unknown, Europe

Mercadet or Waiting for Godeau, scene from the performance of the Comedie Francaise in 1869, Paris, France, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century original, exact original date unknown, Europe

A Pictorial: the First Syllable, 1864. Christmas entertainment. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.

"Rouge et Noir", by P. Levin, from the Royal Academy Exhibition, 1861. Engraving from a painting. 'Every one who has been in a German Kursaal, where feasting, dancing, and gaming are combined, will recognise the truth of Mr. Levin's representation of a scene which approaches as near the realisation of a pandemonium as anything the most excited imagination could conceive. One especial point of truth in it is the brutalised expression of the faces of the habitués of this infernal resort, a peculiarity which all who have visited such scenes wall at once recognise. One group of pa

Henry Iriving (1838-1905) English actor-manager, playing in the first production of 'The Bells' which made him famous overnight. Here Mathias (Irving) dreams of the incident 15 years before when he killed a Polish Jew. Lyceum Theatre, London, 1871. From The Illustrated London News (London, 1871). Engraving.

A Carnival at the Doge's in Venice, musicians, actors and guests of the distinguished society, c. 1870, Italy, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century master, exact original date not known, Europe

Herr Pumpernickel, a sensitive German pianist, weeps after performing a composition of his own on the piano. His host and friends look on with concern. Date: 1877

Home concert and dance, wood engraving, 1880

theatre, opera, ""Tannh_user and the Singers' War at Wartburg"" (Tannh_user und der S_ngerkrieg auf der Wartburg), by Richard Wagner, world premiere, death scene, Dresden, 19.10.1845, wood engraving, from: ""Leipziger Illustrierte Zeitung"", 19th century,

Theatre of Ambiguous Comedy, The Sacrifice, drama in five acts and eight pictures by Theodore Barriere and Leon Beauvallet, 1869, France, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century play, exact original date unknown, Europe

TABLEAU VIVANT FROM 'THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL' MF. BYRNE, THE IRISH HARPER

Kamenev and Lenin attend a communist party conference Illustration 1922

Pizzaro a new play or The Drury-Lane masquerade. British Cartoon Prints Collection .

Italian baritone, historical, digitally restored reproduction from an original from the 19th century.

Historical print from the 19th century, interior view of one of an Elizabethan theater of the English Renaissance, a theater stage from the 15th or 16th century

A concert by Frederick the Great, 1712 to 1786, here in Potsdam, Germany, Historisch, historical, digitally improved reproduction of an original from the 19th century, digitally restored reproduction of an original from the 19th century, exact original date not known, Europe

Poor sailor has surprised a couple of distinguished society in a flirtation and now wants some ransom from the damsel for her silence, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century original

David Copperfield

The great American actor Ira Aldridge, in the role of Zanga, appearing in The Revenge, by Edward Young at the Surrey Theatre, London. In this climactic scene, Zanga tramples on the body of Don Alonso. Date: March 1848

The Shakspeare Commemoration at Stratford-On-Avon: scene from "The Comedy of Errors", as performed in the Festival Pavilion, 1864. Celebrating the tercentenary of William Shakespeare's birth. Play performed by the company of the Princess's Theatre. 'It is the scene in which Antipholus of Syracuse, being mistaken for his brother of Ephesus by the wife of the latter, is accosted, very much to his astonishment, with conjugal entreaties and reproaches, by Adriana, whom he never saw before in his life. She has been scolding him for his neglect, and she now insists upon taking his arm and

School For Scandal: Eavesdropping, Theater - School for Scandal

'The Enraged Musician', 1741. Artist: William Hogarth

'My First Season'; Private Theatre--A Dress Rehearsal', 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 41. January to June, 1890.

Triftly players. Interior of an inn with two men playing trick traces and a third who hoped. There is a man with a wooden leg in the doorway.

Lord Campbell's Audience of the Queen, 1900. Artist: Unknown

Illustration, The Adventures of Don Chepito -- Don Chepito's love for a married woman. Date: circa 1890s

Great Exhibition, Crystal Palace, Hyde Park, London, 1851. Such was the national enthusiasm for the exhibition, everyone went. John Leech cartoon from Punch, 1851.

The Piccolomini in the trilogy of dramas Wallenstein by Friedrich Schiller, Woman playing a lute, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original

'Napoleon Pour Rire!!', 1883. Creator: Joseph Swain.

Mary Queen of Scots with Chastelard, who is playing music to her Date: 1564

Robespierre Danton and Marat at the Cabaret in the Rue de Paon 28th June 1793

Count Alessandro di Calgiiostro (1743-1795). Magician. Performance in Dresden. Engraving of Germania, 1882.

The telegraph cable linking Britain and her colony India is depicted as a conversation between John Bull and Britannia, in a John Leech cartoon from 'Punch' magazine 1850

Dance of Death, also called Danse Macabre by Hans Holbein the Younger, Death and the Miser, Historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original

The Auction, Last Day of the Sale', the International exhibition, 1862. Artist: George Bernard O'Neill

Christmas Pantomimes and Burlesques: scene from "The Yellow Dwarf," at Covent Garden Theatre, 1870. London stage show. 'For Covent Garden Mr. Byron has provided "The Yellow Dwarf; or, Harlequin Cupid."...Allfair consults the Fairy of the Desert, being accompanied by one Twitterino, a page, represented admirably by Mr. Fred Payne, who rescues Allfair after eating the fatal cake, and obtains her promise of marriage. The desert fairy falls in love with Twitterino, on whom she tries a pas de fascination, which greatly pleased the audience. Meanwhile the King seeks to arrange a

Scene from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, 1871. Artist: George Cruikshank

Wrestling zwischen Abs und Cannon im amerikanischen Theater in Berlin, Historisch, digitale Reproduktion einer Originalvorlage aus dem 19. Jahrhundert

Scene from Shakespeare's Richard III, (1591) c1870. Artist: Unknown

The Crown Prince and his music teacher are interrupted during a flute lesson, 1729, (1936). Creator: Unknown.

Hamlet and King Claudius during the theater performance, Eugène Delacroix, 1835 print Print is part of a cover with fourteen prints. Paris paper Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

ESCENA DE BAILE Y MUSICA GRABADO S XVII.

Scene from "Fanchette," at the Lyceum Theatre: the Shadow Dance, 1871. London stage production. 'The drama of "Fanchette," now illustrated by the talents of Miss Isabel Bateman, is likely to become popular with the habitues of the Lyceum. That the story is so simple is decidedly in its favour. The scene which we have selected for illustration is not altogether new, but had, previously to the story of Fanchette, formed an incident in more than one opera and pastoral play; and it is eminently pleasing. The same remark may be made on the entire drama, for the argument of it is

Dickens-Christmas Carol-Bob Crachet & Tiny Tim Artist Unknown

Masquerade ball on board a warship, England, 19th century, Historic, digital reproduction of an original 19th century artwork

SCENE FROM 'LADY BARTER,' AT THE PRINCESS'S THEATRE, LONDON, UK, 1891

The Annual Exhibition of the Smithfield Club - Carting away a Pig, 1850. Agricultural show in London. 'The pigs are always a favourite description of stock to the amateur sightseers at cattle shows. A man that would readily admit his insufficiency to judge of the points of a sheep or an ox, will willingly volunteer an opinion as to the merits of the grunters'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.

Three men chasing an amber thief, two are policemen in uniform, Germany, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century master,...

A MONDAY POPULAR CONCERT, 1872 engraving

Escena de la ópera "La flauta mágica", de Johann Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Salzburg, 1756-Viena, 1791). Compositor austríaco de música clásica.

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