Seven merry monologues...
Elizabeth Farren was a pretty tame tart. Well, she did steal the Countess of Derby's husband and then take her title as soon as she croaked. But otherwise, she was a very professional actress, staring in a long list of plays. She was a very good one too, she was the comedic starlet of Drury Lane and rival to Mrs Abington. This Irish actress' specialty: portraying aristocratic ladies.
She looks so furtive in that pose!
ReplyDeleteYay Eliza Farren!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever read the book 'Life-Mask'? I'm just getting into in. It spans the 1780s and 1790s and actually follows Eliza Farren, the Earl of Derby, and Mrs. Anne Dammers. The pace is really slow, but the wealth of period detail is just amazing.
No I haven't but I have heard of it!
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for Elizabeth Farren, probably because this portrait is awesome. (In person it is too fabulous.) I agree that as a tart she was pretty tame, but I have to give her props: she held out and got what she wanted.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of the book, but now I have to hie myself to the library. I like a book that totally draws you in to the period. I also understand that there's a novel about Mrs Fitzherbert that features our very own Duchess. Has anyone read it?
I love Farren!!!! And she would look splendid with my decor!
ReplyDeleteI don't need my tarts to be super saucy and unruly...
I have to admit, I think I like the actresses best.
ReplyDelete"portraying" aristocratic ladies. you've all been tipping me off to some very interesting sounding books. thanks!
ReplyDeleteKaty, if you like the actresses (and who doesn't) have you had a chance to read Notorious Muse? I highly recommend--essays on the actress in Georgian art and culture and how they were portrayed. Each essay takes on a different aspect: dress, celebrity, social mobility, etc. A good read. There's another book I have yet to purchase, called Spectacular Flirtations, also about the Georgian actress in art.
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