11 OF 25 
Algernon Charles Swinburne; Adah Isaacs Menken
11 of 25 portraits of Algernon Charles Swinburne
© National Portrait Gallery, London
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Algernon Charles Swinburne; Adah Isaacs Menken
by Harry Furniss
pen and ink
10 in. x 7 3/4 in. (254 mm x 197 mm)
Transferred from National Portrait Gallery Reference Collection, 1994
Primary Collection
NPG 6251(60)
Sittersback to top
- Adah Isaacs Menken (1835?-1868), Actress and poet. Sitter in 4 portraits.
- Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909), Poet and literary reviewer. Sitter in 25 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Harry Furniss (1854-1925), Caricaturist. Artist or producer associated with 435 portraits, Sitter in 13 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Marsh, Jan, The Pre-Raphaelite Circle, 2013, p. 106 Read entry
During the winter of 1867-8 Swinburne had a passionate and public relationship with American-born entertainer Adah Isaacs Menken (1835-68), who scandalised British opinion with her theatrical performances as Mazeppa, a character from Byron, riding bareback and apparently unclothed. Photographs of Swinburne with Menken were displayed in various London shop windows.
- Marsh, Jan, Insights: The Pre-Raphaelite Circle, 2005, p. 101
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