Claudine de Begnis (née Ronzi)

This portraitback to top

This water-colour represents Claudine de Begnis as Fatima in the opera, 'Pietro L'Eremita'. It was lithographed by Chalon, published J. Dickinson, 1823 (example in British Museum), and by R. J. Lane, published J. Dickinson, 1827 (example in NPG); the latter is listed in Lane's 'Account Book' (MS, NPG archives), I, 12. The sitter was originally thought to be Mme Vestris, and is so described in The Art Journal, 1903, p 360, where the portrait is reproduced.

Physical descriptionback to top

Pale complexion, dark brown eyes, brown hair. Dressed in a white dress with gold embroidery and muslin sleeves, a dark blue cloak with ermine edging and gold embroidery, pale blue and gold striped trousers, gold slippers, a white turban with green stripes and a large white feather, and a quantity of jewellery with large red stones. Standing on a red and white tiled stage. Building on left brown and green with red and blue spiral columns. Background buildings white, brown and pale blue. Blue-green trees, and deep blue sky.

Provenanceback to top

Leggatt Brothers, purchased from them, 1902.

Exhibitionsback to top

Deux Artistes Genevois en Angleterre: A. E. et J. J. Chalon, Musée Rath, Geneva, 1971 (18).


This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: Richard Ormond, Early Victorian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1973, and is as published then. For the most up-to-date details on individual Collection works, we recommend reading the information provided in the Search the Collection results on this website in parallel with this text.

View all known portraits for Claudine de Begnis (née Ronzi)