Adrienne Lecouvret in de rol van Cornelia met een urn met de as van haar man Pompeus 1716 - 1789

This is Pieter Lyonet's engraving of Adrienne Lecouvret as Cornelia, depicted with an urn containing her husband Pompey's ashes. Lyonet's engraving immortalizes a moment of dramatic grief portrayed on the stage. Adrienne Lecouvret, a celebrated actress of her time, embodies Cornelia, a Roman widow. Her upward gaze and the urn itself speak to themes of loss, memory, and the performance of mourning. Lyonet’s choice to represent Lecouvret in this role taps into the 18th century's fascination with classical antiquity. It also elevates the actress to the status of historical and tragic figure. As we consider Lecouvret as Cornelia, think about the ways women have been, and continue to be, represented in states of grief. Do you think that the image maintains traditional representations, or does it develop alternative narratives? The engraving prompts reflection on the roles prescribed to women, both on and off the stage.