JAMES SCOULER (BRITISH, 1740-1812)

William Powell (1735/1736-1769) was an English actor, whose career lasted for only six years before his untimely death from pneumonia. Originally employed in a City counting-house, Powell was later trained by the leading actor of the period, David Garrick, and made his debut as the title role of Philaster, at Drury Lane in October 1763. Powell took on other leading roles, including Hamlet and Othello, for which he received widespread critical acclaim. He died shortly after having started as the manager and lead actor of the new theatre in Bristol. The playbill which he holds probably dates from 28 December 1767, when both Cymbeline and The Oxonian in London were performed together at Covent Garden. This was Powell's first performance in one of his best-loved roles, Posthumous from Cymbeline. Given by Royal Command, this miniature may have been painted to celebrate this particular performance.
A mezzotint of William Powell by Samuel Okey, after Robert Pyle, circa 1765-1780 is in the National Portrait Gallery (inv. no. NPG D20168). A miniature of David Garrick and his wife by James Scouler, painted in 1768, is in the Victoria & Albert Museum (inv. no. P.5-1951).