Lot 75

National Portrait Gallery, Canberra November 2011- March 2012

Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) was acclaimed as the greatest actor of her generation and had roles created for her by some of the finest writers of her age. A global superstar, she ultimately performed at least 70 roles in some 125 productions, appearing in many countries across the globe, even Cuba and Samoa, and touring the USA alone nine times. She first appeared in Melbourne in May 1891, for weeks before which her visit to Australia had been the general and absorbing topic of conversation. At the time of her tour, Bertram Mackennal was the centre of a debate in the press over the worthiness of his entry in a competition for a major bronze figure group to be placed outside the National Gallery of Victoria. An accomplished sculptor herself, Bernhardt could see his significant talent and advised Mackennal to return to Paris as he was "buried alive" in Australia. He took her advice, becoming a good friend and created this relief the following year. Bernhardt is shown bust length in profile swathed in a frilled chemise looking towards a nude female figure holding the masks of comedy and tragedy.