Henry Irving as Dubosc, John Bernard Partridge, early 20th Century

John Bernard PartridgeBritish, 1861–1945

Henry Irving as Dubosc

early 20th Century · Drawing · 32.7 × 20.5 cm

Can I see it?

Not on view at present

Where is “Henry Irving as Dubosc” now? Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Not on view at present. Checked September 25, 2026.

Victoria and Albert Museum

London, United Kingdom

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked: 16 days ago
In this state since: Sep 25, 2026
Source: The museum

On the map Museum page

About the work

Bernard Partridge (1861-1945) was a painter and illustrator who became the principal cartoonist of Punch magazine. He acted at the Lyceum in his youth, using the name Bernard Gould, and made many drawings of Irving, some which appeared in the theatre's souvenir programmes. His work has provided both a record of costumes and scenery and of the dramatic effect of Irving's performances.

This image shows the actor Henry Irving (1838-1905) as Lesurques in The Lyons Mail by Charles Reade (1814 -1884). Irving played both the hard-drinking villain Dubosc, who has robbed the Lyons Mail, and the genteel hero Lesurques who is mistaken for him and arrested. Irving needed to change costume quickly between being on stage as one character and then the other. He was assisted in doing this by his dresser.

Victoria and Albert Museum