Interior View of Astley's Amphitheatre as it appeared in 1777 from an original drawing by William Capon
Artist
Charles John Smith
Date1777
MediumInk on paper, colored etching, aquatint
DimensionsHEIGHT: 8 1/2 × 11 in. (21.6 × 27.9 cm)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineTibbals Circus Collection
Object numberht8000698
The circus, in its modern form as a performance in one or more rings, was first presented in 1768 at a riding school outside London. While the various performing arts that are featured in a circus each have their own histories – some much longer than the organized show itself – the circus performance originated just south of London in the establishment of Phillip Astley (1742-1814), an officer of the British Cavalry. Astley’s riding school staged exhibitions of his own remarkable feats on horseback as well as other types of performances – tumbling, rope walking, clowning – forming the foundation of the circus performance as it is known today. Along with the mixed program of performances, Astley’s choice of presentation in the round has remained a hallmark of the circus.
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