David Garrick (1717–1779), as Richard III (from Shakespeare's 'Richard III')

Nathaniel Dance-Holland painted David Garrick as Richard III around 1771, depicting the most celebrated actor of the eighteenth century in his most famous role — the villainous king of Shakespeare's history play. Garrick's Richard III was the performance that had launched his career in 1741 and remained his signature role for thirty years. Dance's portrait captures the theatrical moment of the performance — Garrick in the famous 'tent scene' awakening from his nightmare before Bosworth — with the combination of portrait accuracy and theatrical drama that distinguished British theatrical portraiture in this period. The painting documents both Garrick's performance style and the period's understanding of acting as a form of visual and psychological transformation.

Dance captures Garrick's famous expressiveness in the role of the scheming king, using dramatic lighting to enhance the theatrical atmosphere. The painting balances portrait likeness with the heightened emotion of stage performance.