Mrs. Siddons 1899

This is Timothy Cole's engraving of Mrs. Siddons. It depicts the celebrated actress Sarah Siddons who dominated the London stage. Portraits were a powerful means of communicating status and character in 17th century Europe. Siddons was not born into the aristocracy, and her fame was achieved through her skill and dramatic presence. As such, this engraving would have cemented her position in the cultural landscape of the era, immortalising her not only as a performer, but as a figure of intellect and emotion. Siddons was known for her tragic roles, and although not in costume here, her expression hints at the emotional depths she was celebrated for conveying. The engraving was made long after her death, showing the enduring fascination with her persona. To fully appreciate this engraving, one might look at playbills from the era, and consider the cultural significance of theatre-going for the social elite. Such sources help us understand how images like these participated in constructing celebrity and cultural identity.