Eva Maria Garrick (née Veigel) (1724-1822), Dancer; wife of David Garrick

Sitter in 5 portraits
The daughter of a valet, Eva Maria Garrick (née Veigel) was a talented dancing pupil and by the age of ten she was frequently invited to entertain the Austrian aristocracy. In 1746, under her stage name, Violette, she contracted to dance with the Italian Opera Company at the King's Theatre in London, and was at once the talk of the town. She married David Garrick two years later, and their thirty-year marriage was a contented, although childless one. She gave up performing after marriage but helped to promote Garrick's career by hosting parties for London's high society.