Art critic Heather Bradley admired this painting by William Hogarth of David Garrick as Richard III at the press view of the Arts Council of Great Britain's presentation , " Shakespeare in Art " . The exhibition , commemorating the quartercentenary of Shakespeare's birth , consists of paintings , drawings and engravings devoted to Shakespearean subjects . The picture was bought from Hogarth for ?00 by Thomas Dunscombe , from whom it descended to the Earls of Feversham until 1955 . In 1956 it was purchased by the Walker Art Gallery , Liverpool . Garrick was the greatest actor of his time 1717-1779 and his portrayal of Richard III in the tent scene directly inspired Hogarth's painting . 8 April 1964