Sarah Siddons as Lady Macbeth

The famed actress Sarah Siddons (1755–1831) was closely associated with the role of Lady Macbeth, which she played several times. In this drawing, made in preparation for a full-length portrait, Siddons is shown performing the scene in Shakespeare’s play when Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, haunted by her guilt for participating in her husband’s murderous plot. While other actresses emphasized Lady Macbeth’s villainy or insanity, Siddons portrayed the character with more nuance. Harlow depicts the actress with downturned lips and white highlights in her eyes suggesting tears, capturing the vulnerability Siddons brought to the character.