Who painted Mrs Litchfield?

Mrs Litchfield was painted by Unknown in 26.

Where can I see Mrs Litchfield?

Mrs Litchfield is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Mrs Litchfield?

Mrs Litchfield is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Mrs Litchfield

Unknown , 26

Mrs Litchfield is a print by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 26 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1807 print presents Mrs.

About this work

Next time you’re in London, check the Victoria and Albert Museum’s prints section.

This print shows a woman in a fancy dress, posed like a stage actor. Her costume looks like a character from a play called *Pizarro*. The print was made for a publisher named C. Cooke in 1807.

The woman is Mrs. Litchfield, but she’s dressed as Zara, a fictional heroine. Prints like this were cheap ways to show popular theater roles at home.

Next time you’re in London, check the Victoria and Albert Museum’s prints section.

Overview

This 1807 print presents Mrs. Litchfield in the role of Zara, a heroine from the contemporary stage production *Pizarro*. Rendered in a theatrical pose and elaborate costume, the image functions as a visual souvenir of a popular performance, allowing viewers to recall the drama within a domestic setting.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is identified as the actress Mrs. Litchfield, depicted in the attire of Zara, a fictional character central to *Pizarro*. By portraying her in costume, the print underscores the cultural appetite for theatrical portraiture, offering a tangible link between the audience and the fleeting spectacle of the stage.

Technique & Style

Executed as a commercial print, the work employs line engraving to capture the intricate details of the costume and the dramatic posture of the sitter. The stylised composition mirrors theatrical conventions of the period, emphasizing gesture and ornamentation to convey the character’s narrative presence.

History & Provenance

The print was issued on 26 October 1807 for the publisher C. Cooke and later entered the Harry Beard Collection. Its circulation reflects early‑19th‑century practices of reproducing stage imagery for a broad public, serving both as advertisement for the play and as a collectible for theatre enthusiasts.