Sarah (Kemble) Siddons as the Tragic Muse

Legendary actress Sarah Siddons had recently taken London by storm performing in a string of heart-breaking tragic roles when she posed for this portrait. Reynolds paints her as an austere icon of Tragedy, seemingly enthroned for all eternity. The figures behind her personify two of the elements of tragedy. To her left, holding a poisoned chalice, is the figure of Terror, whose grimacing face was modeled on Reynolds’s own features. To her right, clutching a dagger, is the figure of Pity. The artist employs a dark palette throughout the painting, except in the head and arms of the sitter, who appears as if in spotlight.