Artwork
Persiani as Rosina
Persiani as Rosina is a print by the Romanticist artist W H Mote. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1844 print portrays the Italian soprano Giulia Persiani in the role of Rosina, a character from Gioachino Rossini’s opera *Il barbiere di Siviglia*. The image captures the costume and pose associated with the comic heroine, offering a visual record of 19th‑century operatic performance practice.
Subject & Meaning
The work emphasizes Persiani’s stage persona, highlighting the blend of vocal virtuosity and theatrical flair that defined her interpretation of Rosina. By focusing on a single role, the print serves both as a portrait of the singer and as a promotional illustration of the opera’s popularity during the period.
Technique & Style
Executed as a printed image—likely a lithograph or engraving—the piece employs clear line work and shading to delineate costume details and facial expression. The style reflects mid‑19th‑century commercial print aesthetics, balancing realism with the decorative qualities favored by contemporary music publishers.
History & Provenance
The print was issued in December 1844 by the London publisher David Bogue, a firm known for producing musical and theatrical ephemera. Bogue’s London base facilitated distribution to both British audiences and the broader European market, where Italian opera enjoyed considerable demand.
Artist & collection
Artist
W. H. Mote loved opera so much he turned its stars into prints you could pin on your wall. In 1844 he caught the Italian soprano Giulia Grisi mid-role as Rosina in *The Barber of Seville*, her flounces frozen in ink…
