Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex
(1794-1882), Actress and singer; wife of 5th Earl of EssexCatherine Capell-Coningsby (née Stephens), Countess of Essex
Early Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter associated with 11 portraits
Stephens was a soprano singer who first made her mark in 1813 as Mandane in Thomas Arne's Artaxerxes. This led to a series of parts in a variety of English operas which fostered her growing popularity. After touring England and Scotland she joined the company at Covent Garden Theatre where she stayed until 1822 when, after breaking with the management led by Charles Kemble, she transferred to Drury Lane. After Nancy Storace's retirement, Stephens occupied the principal position in English opera. She had a 'full, rich, round and lovely' voice and was an actress of distinction. She retired in 1835 and married the octogenarian Earl of Essex, whom she survived by forty-three years.
Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex
by John Jackson
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1822
On display in Room 18 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 702
Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex
by Henry Meyer, published by Abraham Wivell, after George Henry Harlow
mezzotint, published 22 December 1813
NPG D42154
Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex
by Henry Meyer, after George Henry Harlow
mezzotint, published 1813
NPG D17968
Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex
by William Say, published by Edward Orme, after George Henry Harlow
mezzotint, published 30 September 1816
NPG D42155
Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex as Susanna in the Marriage of Figaro
by Samuel William Reynolds, published by William Sams, after Henri Jean-Baptiste Victoire Fradelle
mezzotint, published 1 July 1825
NPG D36579
by William Thomas Fry, published by Sherwood, Jones & Co, after Thomas Charles Wageman
engraving, published 1825
NPG D38603
Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex as Susanna in the Marriage of Figaro
by Samuel William Reynolds, published by William Sams, after Henri Jean-Baptiste Victoire Fradelle
mezzotint, published 1 July 1825
NPG D42151
Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex as Susanna in the Marriage of Figaro
by Samuel William Reynolds, and by Samuel Cousins, published by William Sams, after Henri Jean-Baptiste Victoire Fradelle
mezzotint, published 1 September 1825
NPG D42152
Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex as Susanna in the Marriage of Figaro
by Samuel William Reynolds, and by Samuel Cousins, published by William Sams, after Henri Jean-Baptiste Victoire Fradelle
mezzotint printed in colours, published 1 September 1825
NPG D42153
Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex ('La Sevillana')
by Frederick Christian Lewis Sr, published by Sir Francis Graham Moon, 1st Bt, and published by Colnaghi, Son & Co, after John Frederick Lewis
stipple engraving and etching, published 1 October 1834 (1833)
NPG D36577
Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex ('La Sevillana')
by Frederick Christian Lewis Sr, published by Sir Francis Graham Moon, 1st Bt, and published by Colnaghi, Son & Co, after John Frederick Lewis
stipple engraving and etching, published 1 October 1834 (1833)
NPG D36578
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