Two Portraits by Robert Hannah
These portraits depict Dickens during two of his Readings in 1858. These are the only contemporary colour images of Dickens performing on stage. They give a very good impression of the intensely red stage, which must have dazzled the audience. There are striking differences in the two drawings: the right shows a high, closed stand and a rather stiff and ghostly actor almost hidden behind it. Dickens did not like this desk at all and designed his own, which was perfectly adapted to his needs. The advantage of this can be seen in the left picture, where most of his body is visible. This was of paramount importance because Dickens's body language was crucial for his acting out the different roles. The friendly facial expression and relaxed posture suggest that Dickens was Reading at one of his light-hearted stories.
Portraits by Robert Hannah (1812-1909)