The portrait reproduced here shows Ira Aldridge at the height of
his powers, receiving enthusiastic applause for his performance as
Zanga in the play Revenge. The accompanying review contrasts
sharply with the criticisms of Aldridge
made by The Times. The reviewer notes that 'many who
ridiculed the idea of a native-born African successfully representing
a dramatic character, retired with very different feelings'.
ZPER 34/12, Illustrated London News, 1 April 1848, p. 218
By courtesy of the Illustrated London
News Picture Library
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