Sarah Bernhardt Reclining on a Divan, Reading (c. 1885–1890): Art, History and Details

Sarah Bernhardt Reclining on a Divan, Reading (c. 1885–1890) is in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection. The museum's creator attribution is Georges-Jules-Victor Clairin (French, 1843–1919).

The work and its context

The museum's open-access catalogue describes the work:

Perhaps the most famous actress in the history of the theater, Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) was one of the most magnetic personalities of her time and was known by her adoring fans as "the Divine Sarah." Jules Clairin was the favored portraitist of the actress, and depicted her in various roles in more than 100 paintings. In this intimate drawing, the international idol is depicted off stage, probably in her exotically decorated Parisian atelier that overflowed with lush palms, patterned carpets, fringed throws, and Asian bibelots. Quiet in her reverie, the reclining Bernhardt is supported by a tiger skin, the drama of her life momentarily voiced by the roaring animal.

Object facts

• Title: Sarah Bernhardt Reclining on a Divan, Reading
• Date: c. 1885–1890
• Creator attribution: Georges-Jules-Victor Clairin (French, 1843–1919)
• Culture: France, 19th century
• Type: Drawing
• Technique: Graphite with lead white heightening
• Dimensions: Sheet: 24.3 x 38.8 cm (9 9/16 x 15 1/4 in.)
• Collection: DR - French
• Department: Drawings
• Accession number: 2009.118

Collection credit

Bequest of Muriel Butkin

View the collection record

See the museum's photographs and full catalogue entry. Catalogue text is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art's open-access data, with HTML formatting removed. This object and its supplied image are designated CC0.