Home
/
G0096
Paintings: G0096
Title
Anne Brunton
Technique
Oil on canvas
Subject
Character
Alzira : Alzira; or The Spanish Insult Repented
Artist
Dimensions
Height: 35.5cm
Width: 27.3cm
height (frame): 46cm
width (frame): 37.5cm
Width: 27.3cm
height (frame): 46cm
width (frame): 37.5cm
Provenance
John Bell; Thomas Harris; Harris sale, Robins 12 July 1819 (67); Charles Mathews
Other number
Mathews 91
RW/CKA 457
RW/CKA 457
Exhibition history
1833 London, Queen's Bazaar, Oxford Street, "Mr Mathews's Gallery of Theatrical Portraits" (457)
Engraving history
William S. Leney for Bell's British Library 7 January 1792, line 10.8x7.6, pub. Bell's "British Theatre" (1797), vol 7, with the quotation "By heaven, if 'tis death, I'll follow thee" (Act IV)
The play is set in the city of Lima. Alzira is the daughter of Ezmont, the Indian king of a part of Peru conquered by the Spaniards. She was betrothed to Zamor, another Peruvian King, but believes him dead and has married Don Carlos, the cruel Spanish governor. Alzira stands full-length with her arms extended forward to an arch that leads outdoors. She wears a white dress, the hem decorated with green circles and red spots, with a panel below the knees embroidered with green foliage and red flowers. On her head is a high eccentric turban with feathers.
Hill's tragedy was first performed at Lincoln's Inn Fields on 18 June 1736. Anne Brunton never essayed the role, and the play was not performed in London after 1759.
Hill's tragedy was first performed at Lincoln's Inn Fields on 18 June 1736. Anne Brunton never essayed the role, and the play was not performed in London after 1759.
