Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
She excelled in comic roles, playing fashionable women such as the aptly named Lady Betty Modish.
Peg’s private life was equally colourful and peppered with love affairs: her paramours included aristocracy as well as fellow actors, David Garrick and Charles Macklin. Unsurprisingly she was less popular with her fellow actresses and their rivalry drove her to return for a time to Dublin where she was peerless. Peg’s final stage role turned out to be Rosalind in ‘As You Like It’ in 1757 when she dramatically collapsed on stage. Her health never recovered and she died three years later. Her final years were spent doing charitable work in her local area.
Painted in enamel on copper, Peg Woffington is shown wearing a mauve dress with a lace collar secured with blue ribbon, a white bonnet fastened beneath her chin. In fine condition with light dust under the glass, the portrait resides in the original silver frame with pierced spiral cresting.
German-born Christian Friedrich Zincke (1683-1767) came to England in 1706 to work alongside and to learn from the Royal enamellist Charles Boit. He later set up his own studio finding success and favour amongst a distinguished clientele that included King George II and his family. Alas, Zincke’s career was cut short by poor and worsening eyesight. His work is well represented in art galleries worldwide.
Size: framed, 48 x 41mm + cresting
Provenance: Private collection
Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
Small portraiture of character & historical interest
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Enamel Portrait Miniature of Peg Woffington by Zincke
