Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) as the Tragic Muse

Sitterback to top

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

Artistsback to top

• Francis Haward (1759-1797), Engraver. Artist associated with 6 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
• Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 1413 portraits, Sitter associated with 38 portraits.

This portraitback to top

She is shown here flanked by figures representing Pity and Terror. The central notion for the portrait could have been taken from a poem in her praise by William Russell entitled The Tragic Muse: A Poem addressed to Mrs Siddons (1783).

Related worksback to top

• NPG D4232: Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) as the Tragic Muse (based on same portrait)
• NPG D14253: Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) as the Tragic Muse (based on same portrait)
• NPG D41674: Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) as the Tragic Muse (based on same portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Wendorf, Richard, Sir Joshua Reynolds: The Portrait in Society, 1996, p. fig 27

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Brilliant Women: 18th-Century Bluestockings (13 March 2008 - 15 June 2008)

Subject/Themeback to top

• Chairs