Lot 54: H. J. Harding (British, fl. 1822-1825)

Two portraits of actresses; Sarah Siddons (1755-1831) as 'The Tragic Muse' and Maria Foote (c.1797?-1867) as 'Grazia Darlington'
both pencil highlighted with Indian ink on paper, the former signed and dated on the obverse, HHarding 1824, the latter similarly signed and dated 1825, both unframed
Rectangular, 220mm. (8 5/8ins.) high (2)

Maria Foote's first stage appearance, as Juliet in 1810, was followed four years later by her debut at Covent Garden when she was just sixteen years old. At seventeen she became the mistress of Colonel Berkeley, the future Earl Fitzhardinge. Her next conquest was another Regency dandy known to society as 'Pea Green' Haynes, a nickname acquired from the colour of his coats. He promised to marry her but then changed his mind. Miss Foote sued for breach of promise and was awarded a gratifying three thousand pounds. It was after this that she captivated Lord Petersham. The couple were the talk of fashionable London and the scandal of Lord Harrington's heir living with an actress delighted the society gossips. After their marriage in 1831 the 4th Earl of Harrington and his Countess took up residence at Elvaston Castle. A portrait miniature of the actress by Richard Cosway was sold in these rooms, 9th April 2002 (lot 84).

Sarah Siddons was born in Brecon, South Wales, in 1755. In 1773 Sarah married a fellow actor, William Siddons. Sarah first began working in London in 1775 but it was not until 1782, with her appearance as Isabella in Fatal Marriage at the Drury Lane Theatre, that she achieved recognition for her acting ability. Over the next few years she established herself as Britain's leading actress. Her final performance on the English stage was as Lady Macbeth in June, 1812. Sarah Siddons continued to give public readings until her death in 1831. This pencil sketch of Siddons has been taken from the oil portrait by Reynolds, painted in 1784.

Part illustrated