The artwork entitled “William Charles Macready (1793–1873), as Macbeth (from ‘Macbeth’, Act II, Scene 2)” was painted by John Jackson in the year 1821. This piece belongs to the Rococo art movement and falls under the genre of portraiture.
In the artwork, the subject, William Charles Macready, is portrayed in the role of Macbeth, captured during an intense moment from Act II, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth”. The figure is adorned in a traditional costume that includes armor on his shoulder and a tartan-patterned cloak. The expression on the subject’s face conveys a strong sense of alarm and tension, emphasizing the dramatic nature of the scene. The lighting casts deep shadows, which enhance the emotional intensity and highlight the detailed textures of the attire and the subject’s skin.
