2 OF 38

Sarah Siddons (née Kemble)

2 of 38 portraits of Sarah Siddons (née Kemble)

by Gilbert Stuart
oil on canvas, 1787
29 1/2 in. x 24 1/2 in. (749 mm x 622 mm)
Given by John Thadeus Delane, 1858
Primary Collection
NPG 50

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Sitterback to top

Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) (1755-1831), Actress. Sitter associated with 38 portraits, Artist associated with 1 portrait.

Artistback to top

Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828), Painter. Artist associated with 60 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Describing herself as an 'ambitious candidate for fame', Siddons used portraiture for publicity. Even before Stuart's portrait was completed it had received glowing reviews for its 'spirit and delicacy'.

Linked publicationsback to top

Gibson, Robin, Treasures from the National Portrait Gallery, 1996
Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 430
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 564