Portrait of Peg Woffington; After William Hogarth.

18th century oil on canvas in an extremely fine 18th century carved and giltwood frame, which is a work of art in its own right.

Verso, the canvas is inscribed 'Peg Woffington, W H f. 1739.' (William Hogarth made this 1739)

The portrait was painted in the late 18th century, after one by Hogarth. Peg had died in 1760, but her fame lasted a very long time. Considered a society beauty of her era, many artists painted her portrait and prints of her sold in huge quantities.

MARGARET WOFFINGTON (1720 – 1760), known professionally as Peg Woffington, was an Irish actress and socialite of the Georgian era.

Woffington was born of humble origins in Dublin, Ireland. It is said that she was walking through a marketplace as a pre-teen and happened upon Madame Violante, a famous tightrope walker. Signora Violante was so immediately enthralled by Peg’s beautiful face that she accompanied Peg home and asked her mother permission to take her in as her apprentice.

Around 1730, Madame Violante featured the young Woffington in her Lilliputian Theatre Company's production of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera. Her performance as Macheath served as a springboard for continued fame in Dublin. She continued dancing and acting in the area – playing Dorinda in an adaptation of The Tempest as the Theatre Royal, Dublin in 1735 and later joining the Smock Alley Theatre to perform with well known actor, David Garrick. She danced and acted at various Dublin theatres until her early twenties, when her reputation drew a handsome offer from John Rich, the manager of the Covent Garden Theatre, to perform on the stages of London. There, she found immediate success, in the role of Sylvia in The Recruiting Officer.

She drew public attention when she was cast as Sir Harry Wildair, daringly wearing breeches, in The Constant Couple. Her performance was well received. She became well known as an actress thereafter. She performed at Drury Lane for several years and later returned to Dublin, appearing in a variety of plays. Her most well-received performances were in comic roles, such as elegant women of fashion like Lady Betty Modish and Lady Townley, and breeches roles.

While in London, she began living with fellow actor Charles Macklin. During this time, she became well acquainted with the foremost actor of the day David Garrick, and her other love affairs (including liaisons with Edward Bligh, 2nd Earl of Darnley and the MP Charles Hanbury Williams), were numerous and notorious.

John Rich, manager of Covent Garden in London, decided to start a Beefsteak Club in 1749. Some of its members included Garrick and William Hogarth, as well as many other London celebrities. Not only was Peg Woffington the first female member of a (previously) all male dining club, in 1750 she became president of the club by election. She also educated and supported her sister Mary (usually known as Polly), and cared for and pensioned her mother.

Woffington parted from Garrick around 1744, and thence moved to the Thameside Middlesex village of Teddington.

On 3 May 1757, she was playing the part of Rosalind in As You Like It when she collapsed on stage. She became paralysed and died in 1760.

SIZE: 45.75 x 38.25 x 3.25 including the frame.

PROVENANCE: Private Collection, Sussex