Print: Portrait of "Jenny Lind" dedicated to Her Majesty, owned by the Barnum Museum (version 1)
June 1 1849 (Date manufactured/created)
15.25 in H
X
11.5 in W
Engraved portrait of Jenny Lind, the famous Swedish soprano, with an inscription dedicating the print to Her Majesty, the Queen of England. This is a very high quality print--literally "fit for a queen"--with rich tones of black, and fine detailing that shows the fashion elements of Miss Lind's dress and accessories. The likeness to Miss Lind, revealing a somewhat broad nose and pale eyes, is likely accurate as she was not considered a beauty by the standards of her day. The engraving was made by William Holl from a daguerreotype (an early type of photograph) by W. E. Kilburn. The print was produced by the Lloyd Brothers & Co., 23 Ludgate Hill, and published June 1, 1849. The inscription under the image reads: "To Her Most Gracious Majesty The Queen This Portrait of Jenny Lind Is by Gracious permission humbly dedicated by Her Majesty's faithful and devoted Subjects Lloyd Brothers & Co."
Miss Lind is shown seated with her hands folded in her lap. She looks slightly toward her right, the viewer's left. Her hair is parted in the center and smooth on the crown, but arranged at each side in a soft roll curving over her ears toward the back, where the ends would be secured in place. Her dark color gown features a wide, low neckline, over which she wears a short, black lace cape. The pattern of the lace is easily seen in contrast to the bare skin of her shoulders. A large oval brooch with an image of a person is pinned at the center of her gown's neckline, securing the lace cape. Her long sleeves are made of a light, sheer silk, gathered into narrow ribbon bands every few inches. The waistline of the gown's bodice forms a deep point at the front, a popular fashion of the 1840s, and it appears that a cord or sash is worn with it. Her skirt is full and round, and would have been worn over several layers of petticoats.
Jenny Lind (October 6, 1820 - November 2,1887) was popularly known as The Swedish Nightingale. The exceptional quality of her voice was recognized when she was young, and she received training at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Sweden, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. She was a coloratura soprano. She reached high acclaim in Europe, and eventually P.T. Barnum engaged her for a tour of America in 1850-1851. Lind, previously unknown in the United States since few people were familiar with opera, was heavily promoted by Barnum months in advance of her arrival, creating an insatiable demand for concert tickets. Halfway through the grueling tour schedule, Lind married Otto Goldschmidt, who replaced her previous pianist. The couple had three children. Lind became a professor of singing at the Royal College of Music in London. She is buried at the Great Malvern Cemetery in Malvern, Worcestershire, England.
Miss Lind is shown seated with her hands folded in her lap. She looks slightly toward her right, the viewer's left. Her hair is parted in the center and smooth on the crown, but arranged at each side in a soft roll curving over her ears toward the back, where the ends would be secured in place. Her dark color gown features a wide, low neckline, over which she wears a short, black lace cape. The pattern of the lace is easily seen in contrast to the bare skin of her shoulders. A large oval brooch with an image of a person is pinned at the center of her gown's neckline, securing the lace cape. Her long sleeves are made of a light, sheer silk, gathered into narrow ribbon bands every few inches. The waistline of the gown's bodice forms a deep point at the front, a popular fashion of the 1840s, and it appears that a cord or sash is worn with it. Her skirt is full and round, and would have been worn over several layers of petticoats.
Jenny Lind (October 6, 1820 - November 2,1887) was popularly known as The Swedish Nightingale. The exceptional quality of her voice was recognized when she was young, and she received training at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Sweden, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. She was a coloratura soprano. She reached high acclaim in Europe, and eventually P.T. Barnum engaged her for a tour of America in 1850-1851. Lind, previously unknown in the United States since few people were familiar with opera, was heavily promoted by Barnum months in advance of her arrival, creating an insatiable demand for concert tickets. Halfway through the grueling tour schedule, Lind married Otto Goldschmidt, who replaced her previous pianist. The couple had three children. Lind became a professor of singing at the Royal College of Music in London. She is buried at the Great Malvern Cemetery in Malvern, Worcestershire, England.
BF 1993.001.001