Adelina Patti as Violetta in 'La Traviata'; as Lucia in 'Lucia de Lammermoor'; as herself; as Martha in 'Martha'; as Zerlina in 'Don Juan'

This portraitback to top

Silvy copyrighted nineteen of his portraits of Patti between 1862 and 1867, and the image of her in the title role of Martha (bottom row, far left) is a particular favourite, due to its grandeur and spectacular background hunting scene.

Events of 1861back to top

Current affairs

Death of Prince Albert, from typhoid fever. Queen Victoria goes into a long period of mourning, withdrawing from public duties, and becomes known by the satirical title 'Widow of Windsor'.

Art and science

Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management is published by her husband Sidney, who successfully maintained the Beeton brand after his wife's early death seven years later. The highly popular book, containing recipes and advice for housekeeping, appealed to the Victorian belief that a woman's role was managing the home.
Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Company is founded, marking the start of the arts and crafts movement.

International

The American civil war begins after the Confederate army attacks Union forces at Fort Sumter in April. The Confederates, comprised of eleven southern states who seceded from the Union over the right to independence on issues such as abolition, are presided over by Jefferson Davis, formerly senator of Mississippi. Although the Union had early successes, the Confederates' victory at Bull Run sets the Union up for a long, four-year war.

Comments back to top