2 OF 3 
Peg Woffington
2 of 3 portraits on display on Floor 1: Lady Chesterfield's Room at Beningbrough Hall
Peg Woffington
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, circa 1758
35 1/2 in. x 42 in. (902 mm x 1067 mm)
Given by Sir Theodore Martin, 1881
Primary Collection
NPG 650
Click on the links below to find out more:
Sitterback to top
- Margaret ('Peg') Woffington (1720?-1760), Actress. Sitter associated with 20 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This unusual sick-bed portrait shows the celebrated Irish actress 'Peg' Woffington, after she collapsed on stage and was paralysed in 1757. During the previous twenty years she had made her name in comedy. She was notorious for bitter rivalries with other actresses - even stabbing one during a performance - and for her love affair with Britain's leading actor, David Garrick.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Cullen, Fintan, The Irish Face: Redefining the Irish Portrait, 2004, p. 116
- Kerslake, John, Early Georgian Portraits, 1977, p. 311
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 673
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On display on Floor 1: Lady Chesterfield's Room at Beningbrough Hall
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