Sarah Bernhardt
(1844-1923), ActressSarah Henriette Rosine Bernhardt
Sitter associated with 37 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 on performing.
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
Visit From Your Armchair
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize
An online exhibition celebrating the very best in contemporary portrait photography.
Hold Still
Explore our community photography project, which presents a personal record of the UK during lockdown.
Sculptures in 360°
See sculptures and fascinating objects from our Collection from all angles.
David Hockney: Drawing from Life
Watch highlights from our special exhibition, which had to close early in March 2020 due to lockdown.