The First Actresses at NPG London

Every once in a while you hear of an exhibition that is so incredibly geared toward your tastes that you question whether you curated it in your sleep.  Sometimes you even happen to be in the right place at the right time in order to actually see these once-in-a-lifetime shows.  I am counting my blessings that I manged to be around for The First Actresses at the National Portrait Gallery which opened last month.

The exhibition is small but packs a great punch.  Upon entering you are greeted by Nell Gwyn's portraits by Verelst.  The first is one of the more recognizable images of the King's mistress but the second, showing Nell in state of undress, has been loaned from a private collection and shows just how stunning the comedic actress was.  Upon seeing this boudoir portrait you have already made your visit worthwhile.  The rest of the exhibition featured so many portraits that I have included in blog posts I felt like I was actually walking into the Gossip Guide!  The rooms were separated into categories having to do with themes such as Covent Garden and the actresses as a muse.  Who was there? Well, anyone who is anybody, my pet!  Hester Santlow tipping her harlequin cap welcomed guests into the menagerie of eighteenth-century actresses.  Mary 'Perdita' Robinson, Fanny Abington, Dorothy Jordan, Kitty Clive, Elizabeth Linley Sheridan, Sarah Siddons, Lavinia Fenton, Giovanna Baccelli, and Hester Booth are just a sampling of the wide range of ladies seen through the paint and pencil of artists such as Reynolds, Gainsborough, Hogarth, Hoppner, Gardner, and Russell.  Even the beautiful Duchess was there in Gardner's depiction of her, Lady Melbourne and Anne Damer as the three witches- it is the first time in ages that the work has been on public display and now it will hopefully stay that way as a new acquisition for the museum.

While limited, the collection the curators accrued is quiet profound in terms of selection.  My only criticism is the lack of gossip in the exhibition.  I would have liked to see more satirical images; sadly, only a couple of Gillrays were included in the exhibition.  I believe having more satirical images would have captured the actresses' celebrity and the fanfare surrounding them.

The First Actresses will be at the National Portrait Gallery until 8 January so do not hesitate to see the exhibition.  For those who cannot possibly manage to get to the show, the exhibition catalog is currently on sale for £19.50 and has fun essays on things like dancing and celebrity (hopefully I will have a review up in a timely manner).

Bookspotting: Mistress of My Fate

Some of you may be well aware of my love for Hallie Rubenhold's biography on the scandalous Lady Worsley, Lady Worsley's Whim (The Lady in Red, in the US) which I just couldn't put down.  Fans of Rubenhold's work and historical fiction lovers alike should be pleased to know that Ms Rubenhold has taken a small break from her nonfiction writing to pen a novel set in our favorite century, Mistress of My Fate: The Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot.  Says the author:

"[Mistress of My Fate] the first in a series of French Revolutionary / Napoleonic era novels which features the adventures of Henrietta Lightfoot, accidental courtesan, card sharp, actress - and later - spy, governess and art forger as she winds her way through a Europe in upheaval."

Accidental courtesan and spy? No, that doesn't sound like something this group of polite readers would enjoy at all! To further whet your appetite the book has a fun website that has 18th century recipes, beauty tips, and a quiz to find out what kind of courtesan of the time you would be. 

What has my curiosity going is that some of our favorite tart-ish friends make appearances in the book.  From my examinations of the website, Lady Lade and Gertrude Mahon are characters that appear in the book, and given Ms Rubenhold's excellent grip on the century, I am sure she will paint a fabulous portrayal of these most colorful and interesting women of the time.

Mistress of My Fate is now available to UK readers, but never-fear US readers, this tartly tale is due to hhit shelves next year.

Coming Exhibitions: The First Actresses

I nearly jumped out of my seat in excitement when I read this announcement from the Nation Portrait Gallery today:

The First Actresses: Nell Gwyn to Sarah Siddons
20 October 2011 - 8 January 2012

Wolfson Gallery
Tickets £11/£10/£9

The First Actresses will explore the vibrant and sometimes controversial relationship between art, gender and the theatre in eighteenth-century England. Combining much-loved masterpieces with newly-discovered works, the exhibition will look at the ways in which actresses used portraiture to enhance their reputations, deflect scandal and increase their popularity and professional status.

The exhibition features portraits by artists such as Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, John Hoppner and James Gillray, with highlights including Reynolds’s famous portrait of Sarah Siddons as the Tragic Muse, Hogarth’s The Beggar’s Opera and Gainsborough’s portrait of Elizabeth Linley. Visitors will discover the fascinating stories of actresses including Nell Gwyn, Kitty Clive, Hester Booth, Lavinia Fenton, Sarah Siddons and Dorothy Jordan.

Starting with the emergence of the actress’s profession in the late seventeenth century, The First Actresses will show how women performers were key figures in celebrity culture. Fuelled by gossipy theatre and art reviews, satirical prints and the growing taste for biography, eighteenth-century society engaged in heated debate about the moral and sexual decorum of women on stage and revelled in the traditional association between actress and prostitute. The exhibition will also look at the resonances with modern celebrity culture and the enduring notion of the actress as fashion icon.

This sounds like an exhibition not to be missed since no museum has ever housed so many tarts at once!  I have never had the pleasure of seeing my favorite portrait of Perdita Robinson (by Hoppner) and it appears it will be one of the highlights of the collection.  Time to begin counting down the days until October.

Tart Weddings: Elizabeth and Augustus Hervey

Now it happens to be this opinionated gossiper's humble opinion that no good can come of people marrying solely in order to sleep together without guilt.  Just take Elizabeth Chudleigh and her flavor of the week, Augustus Hervey for example; disaster!

Elizabeth was quite the catch of the court and the fact that she was one of the Princess of Wales' maids of honour only added to her allure.  She had many admirers.  One of those admirers was James 6th Duke of Hamilton, who at the time was a minor and couldn't marry without his parents' consent.  He left for the grand tour with promises to return and wed Elizabeth (he would go on to marry Elizabeth Gunning on a whim) but her hormones were too wild to be able to wait that long.  The next man to come along was Augustus Hervey and he really had nothing to boast of.  Okay in the looks department and a zero in the heir department, Augustus was the second son of John Hervey and therefore joined the navy knowing his peer prospects were grim.  It was lust at first sight when the two met at Lainston House and it was there they made the rash decision to marry ASAP. James Who of Hamilton?

The remains of the chapel

Sneaking into a medieval chapel on Lainston grounds under the cover of darkness Elizabeth and Augustus sealed their fate.  Ironically the chapel was rarely used except for a mausoleum.  A single candle was used in the secret ceremony and the amount of witnesses you could count on one hand.  Without wasting a moment the couple immediately set out to consummate the marriage...since that was the only reason they got married in the first place.

Three days after the ceremony and bunny-like bedroom activities, duty called Augustus back to the sea.  In this case, absence did not make the heart grow fonder and Elizabeth chose to forget that the marriage ever happened, firstly to keep her maid of honour job and then because she regretted her hasty decision.  Augustus was surprised by his wife's rejection at first and then just shrugged it off and forgot about it too.

Elizabeth almost got away with the forgotten marriage too since there was no paperwork documenting the event.  However the greedy Elizabeth royally screwed herself when, years later, she visited the dying reverend who performed the marriage in order to gain paperwork proving they were married.  Why did Elizabeth do this when she herself had it set in her mind that the marriage never happened?  The covetous tart heard that Augustus may actually have a chance at the Earldom of Bristol after all.  In the end her actions screwed her.  She married the Duke of Kingston so she didn't need that paperwork to earn her a title after all, however it did earn her a trial for bigamy.

Essex Girls

The county of Essex has a rather negative reputation for its young ladies, just look up "Essex Girl" in the Urban Dictionary.  Having lived there at one point in my life there I can both say "What a silly stereotype!" and "Holy Mother, what is that girl wearing!?! This is why some stereotypes are based on truths!"  Now we all know the eighteenth century was not a prudish time; quite the opposite in fact.  Now that poses the question: Were there any Lady Essex Girls?  After all there was a Lady Jersey Shore.  Let us examine the possibilities.

The Countesses of Essex (some anyway):

Lady Mary Bentinck
(1679-1726)
Mary was one of the famous Hampton Court Beauties; considered one of the most lovely women at the court of William and Mary.  Her beauty was also given the exclusive Kit-Cat club toast, something reserved for VIP Whig ladies.
Result: Hot, but not bothered.

Lady Jane Hyde
(c. 1694-1724)
Another noted beauty, Lady Jane served as a Lady of the Bedchamber to the Princess of Wales.
Result: Yawn.

Lady Elizabeth Russell
(1704-1784)
Well behaved women rarely make history and this one barely made history.
Result: I'd rather make history.

Frances Hanbury Williams
(1735-1759)
This Lady Essex was quite fashionable but only was a Countess of Essex for five years before she expired.
Result: Not enough time to live up to her name.


What the heck.  None of these ladies qualify as Essex Girls!  No low cut dresses, no public displays of affection, nothing!  I even found a Lady Essex Mostyn.  Her first name was Essex and she couldn't even make headlines.  So sadly I must accept that there were no Lady Essex Girls in the century when they should have been making the most of the stereotype. 



Cassiobury housed these lame ducks and has a fabulous site about them.
Well thank goodness someone was able to write a book about Infamous Essex Women!
Look, another book about Essex Girls!

There is Always an Excuse for a Party

1781 was the height of Mary "Perdita" Robinson's celebrity. This is most likely because she and the Prince of Wales had just broken up and EVERYONE knew about it. His new squeeze was "Dally the Tall, Grace Dalrymple Elliott, whom was newly single from her scandalous divorce. Naturally, it was claws out for the two tarts.

By October of that year Perdita had decided she had enough and needed a little getaway. Her fifteen minutes of fame allowed her to visit the French court and rub shoulders with Marie Antoinette. Grace was more than happy to see Perdita embark. According to the papers, she threw a party to celebrate the lack of competition for the Prince's affection (even though that was soo over).

"...Dally the Tall gave a superb fete last night at her house near Tyburn Turnpike, in consequence of the Perdita's departure for the Continent, whose superior charms have long been the daily subject of Dally's envy and abuse."

Perhaps the press just misconstrued Grace's intentions for a good time. But then again, a themed party is always much more fun.

Bad Girls Club --18th Century Edition

One of my guilty television pleasures is The Bad Girls Club on Oxygen. The show is just so silly and the whole premise is waiting for a disaster to happen among a collection of women who have no redeeming qualities. In other words: let's put all these girls we hate in one house and see who comes out alive! If only there was an 18th century version of this low-brow show; which begs the question: who would you want in that Georgian bad girls house?

The Candidates:

Jane, Duchess of Gordon
She is not only a seductress but an abductress.
The Bossy One







Lady Letitia Lade
She's makes a hobby of riding 'em. Horses, that is.
The Gold-Digger








Elizabeth Lady Holland
Girls just want to have fun, right? That means late nights, men, and exotic locales.
The Prankster







Hecca Sheridan
She throws herself in the arms of unworthy men...and throws a temper-tantrum afterward.
The Hot-head







Mary Toft
She'll do just about anything for attention...no matter how crazy.
The Liar









Harriette Wilson
She loves a good time, just don't get on her bad side.
The Blackmailer







Albinia, Countess of Buckinghamshire
Dodging the law at every turn, she gambles with her life just as she does her money.
The Gambler








Lavinia, Countess Spencer
Who does she NOT have a problem with?
The Diva





Vote for your choices in the poll in the sidebar!
Lauren will also be polling to see which French ladies would do well in the house. Which of these tarts and femmes would be the most reality-tv worthy?

Tartly Books on Sale

Why must I grace the pages of Amazon? Why must they have such fabulous savings and even more insane prices from third party sellers? They must be put on earth to drain my bank account...and yours. I noticed a vast amount of books on some past tarts are on sale. These are the deals I've been eying; you know how I love to share the wealth...so to speak.

(I'm also going to be lazy and just post these in quick link boxes for when I finally end up buying them all so excuse the aesthetic offense)

Maria Fitzherbert by James Munson: This hardcover on the Prince of Wale's Secret wife is at my library so I'm hoping to resist it's charms but you can get it on Amazon Marketplace for as low as $4.


A Royal Affair by Stella Tillyard: This looks appealing for two reasons, it's by Stella Tillyard, authors of Aristocrats, and it contrasts the prudish nature of George III with his "scandalous siblings." That means lots of dirt on Queen Caroline Matilda.

The Unruly Queen by Flora Frasier: The name alone is appealing. The unruly queen in this case is Caroline of Brunswick who was barely a queen before she mysteriously died.

The First Lady Diana by Victoria Massey: This book on Lady Diana the saucy aristocrat has books starting at 63 cents.

Charlotte & Leopold by James Chambers: If you're in the mood for some regency romance there is the story of Princess Charlotte and Leopold. Charlotte was the tragic only-child of the Prince of Wales and Caroline of Brunswick.

England's Mistress by Kate Williams: I have heard that this is a scathing version of Emma Hamilton's tale which may just be as close to a bodice-ripper as a historical biography can get.

Celebrating Saint Patrick's Day in Good Company

It is near impossible for this girl to give a decent blog update on and around the days surround this most green of holidays. However, I feel it necessary to celebrate on the blog as well. Since this holiday celebrates all things Irish I would like to remind you that we owe the country of Ireland many thanks for supplying us with some of our favourite tarts.

Kiss them, they're Irish!

Elizabeth Farren

Lavinia Spencer

Dorothy Jordan

Peg Woffington

Gertrude Mahon

Tart Shirts!

I feel bad about plugging myself like this, but I had to share! I discovered and have been experimenting on Cafe Press, where you can design and sell your own t-shirts and other fun things. Well, of course my twisted little mind decided that if this blog was to have any sort of product it would have to be something that proclaims its wearer to be a tart. So, I give you the Tart of Week line at Georgiana's Gossip Shop.

The logo features her Grace kissing a butcher and is available on a long list of products! So you can let everyone know that you are the tart of the week. That, or you can tell me to stop fooling around on Photoshop and get back to blogging!

Biography Updates

Some quick tart biography updates! Hallie Rubenhold wrote to tell me that Americans will have to wait until May in order to get their copy of Lady Worsley's Whim which will be published under the title of The Lady in Red. Ooo how do you like the feisty new title?

Another book Mythosidhe pointed out that I am extremely excited about is Wedlock: The True Story of the Disastrous Marriage and Remarkable Divorce of Mary Eleanor Bowes, Countess of Strathmore. If you recall, Mary is one of my favourite tarts because of her outrageous story. I cannot wait until I get my hands on this one, I hope it is just as entertaining as Mary.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas Lady Bess Foster Gave to Me...

Ten sob stories...

Now I know Bess may not have many fans here on the Guide, but her presence as a tart of Christmas should be expected considering her many tartly ways. I also suspect not many people will be leaving comments in order to win her ornament! But maybe Bess' sob stories will win you over as they did the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire who immediately empathized with her plight and took the delicate lady into their care. Sob stories were Bess' weapon of choice in her many manipulations which led to her survival. With them, this tiny tart was able to cahoot with many above her station and sleep with many, many rich and famous men...even if those men happened to be the husband and boyfriend of her best friend or Marie Antoinette's boyfriend, or a cardinal, or...well you know, the list goes on and on.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas Emma Hamilton Gave to Me...

Eleven artful attitudes...

Emma Hamilton didn't have a dime to her name when she was tricked and literally sold to Sir William Hamilton by her boyfriend. As luck would have it, the ill-matched couple worked out (for a while anyway) and Sir William was able to help refine Emma and some of her interests. Together they would entertain traveling guests in their Naples villa and Emma would perform her "attitudes," posing in different classical stances. It was partially these sexy poses that seduced the hero du jour, Admiral Nelson.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas Countess Spencer Gave to Me...

Twelve catty comments...

Lavinia Spencer was Georgiana and Harriet's trash-talking sister in-law. Her nasty attitude and spiteful manner earned her a place as a tart of the week. But it is her stylish winter-wear that makes her an adorable ornament this season. Warning: warm clothes made be required for her chilly disposition.

The Twelve Tarts of Christmas!

Now that it is December the holiday onslaught is unavoidable. So Lauren and I thought we would add to the mess by celebrating here on the Gossip Guides in our own special way.

I am so grateful for the many warm responses you've sent me by email and and in comments. I am not sure exactly how many regulars come to the site but your support means everything to me and I only wish I could give you all gifts! Since I can't actually do that I would like to present you with the idea of The Twelve Tarts of Christmas.

Your favourite tarts will be making appearances between now and Christmas to bring you holiday joy and fabulous tidings. Leave a comment on the post with your favorite tart(s) and you'll enter to win that tart's ornament, made by yours truly. The ornaments are nothing special, but if one takes your fancy, by all means leave a comment! You can comment on any tart's post up until a few days after the twelfth tart is presented and then I will put a post with all the winners' names. Happy Holidays!
Each heart tart is a different as the tart it displays. The girls are framed in pearlescent champagne borders and each ornament contains genuine swarovski crystals.

Crim Con Court

Perhaps you have seen the phrase "crim. con." getting tossed around here, especially in reference to certain tarts. Crim con is the abbreviation for Criminal Conversation, trials usually connected to divorce...but not actual divorce trials. When a tart wandered into another man's arms and her husband found out he could charge that man of, well, trespassing. Although enlightened thinking may have given women more rights and freedoms than they previously had, they were still considered property of their husbands. Crim con trials are a perfect example of this primeval state of mind still being practiced.

Here is how these trials typically went down: Lady Tart and Lord Rake would conduct a steamy, semi-public affair. When Lord Cuckold discovers his wife's infidelities he is outraged but mostly embarrassed in how Lady Tart emasculated him in front of everyone. Lord Cuckold has many different options for revenge on his wife, one being divorce, which is extremely costly and time-consuming. In order to seek revenge on Lord Rake he can press crim con charges and, if Lord Rake is found guilty, get some money out of him. Crim Con's weren't exclusively for husbands who had been cheated on. They were originally masterminded for husband's who wanted "justice" if their wife had been raped. Sex wasn't even a criterion to validate the case, you could sue for any form of tarnishing the property.

So basically crim con is suing that guy for fooling around with your wife. You can still do that today, there just isn't a special name for it. It makes good daytime television though.

A Harlot's Progress: Plate 2

Oh Moll! What are you up to now? It seems as though our docile seamstress from the last plate has done quite well for herself in the new career path that Mother Needham picked out for her. Moll is a high-class tart; a kept woman. This has secured her a comfortable living arrangement, a pet monkey, a fashionable West Indian servant boy, and considerable pocket money. She seems to be enjoying her hedonistic life as mistress to a Jewish merchant (Hogarth obviously came from a time predating political correctness).

After spending a rambunctious night at the masquerade (as indicated from the mask on the vanity) Moll seems to have brought home a man who isn't paying her rent. When the man who is paying it shows up unexpectantly for an early breakfast with his mistress Moll is put in a tight spot. In order to get her boytoy out undiscovered Moll picks a fight with her merchant which ends with her knocking down the tea table. Not the classiest move, but it gets her lover out undetectected.

Evidence of Moll's downfall to debauchery are all around. The broken china of the tea set symbolizes Moll's broken honor. Her pet monkey runs away with her headdress, showing the chaos and drama of her life. It should also be noted that traditionally, in northern art, monkeys have been used as a symbol of evil or Satan.

It would appear by Moll's casual expression (or drugged?) that she is way too comfortable in the deceit of her merchant. The expression on his face clearly mark's astonishment over her behaviour. I would be a little more careful if I were you Moll. You may have gotten out of this scrap, but I wouldn't be so optimistic with any others.


A Harlot's Progress: Plate 1
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