Sarah Henriette Rosine Bernhardt (1844-1923), Actress

Sitter associated with 32 portraits
World-renowned Parisian-born actress, Bernhardt entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1859. Made her debut at the Comédie-Française in 1862 and moved to the Odéon, where she won fame as Doña Maria in Victor Hugo's Ruy Blas (1872) before retuning to the Comédie-Française. After 1876 she made frequent appearances in America, Europe and London where she mixed with the artistic elite including Ellen Terry and Oscar Wilde. Her most applauded roles include Phèdre (1874) and Marguerite in La Dame aux camélias (1884). Founded the Théàtre Sarah Bernhardt in 1899. In 1915 she had a leg amputated but carried performing.