print
- Museum number
- K,57.263
- Description
-
Portrait of the singer Elizabeth Billington in a tragic character; whole-length, standing turned to right with head down and in profile, cradled in her left hand, and sorrowful expression; right arm by side with palm downwards; wearing eastern costume of sprigged dress with swagged skirts over a longer gown, a trailing, open cloak with ermine trim and short sleeves, and patterned sash; hair down back, with an elaborate turban headdress with feathers. 1786
Etching and engraving with some stipple
- Production date
- 1784-1818 (c.)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 161 millimetres (cropped)
-
Width: 96 millimetres (cropped)
- Curator's comments
- The costume bears a resemblance to that worn by Mrs Billington in Cosway's drawing of her as 'The Peruvian' from the comic opera of that name; see K,57.255, K,57.258. This print has been cut before any lettering, but the sitter can be identified as Billington, amongst other factors, from its location in Burney's album on a page with five other portraits of the singer.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1818
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- K,57.263