Sarah Bernhardt in l’Etrangère 1879

Georges Jules Victor Clairin sketched Sarah Bernhardt in costume, likely in France, using graphite on paper. Bernhardt was not only a talented actress, but a savvy businesswoman, and she cultivated a persona that challenged the conventions of late 19th-century French society. The sketch captures her in costume for the play "L'Étrangère," and the very title, meaning "The Foreign Woman," speaks to the fascination with outsiders and the anxieties surrounding national identity during that time. Theatre in France was an important public forum, and the performance of identity, class, and gender roles played out on stage reflected and influenced broader social debates. Art historians consult theatrical archives, costume collections, and contemporary reviews to understand the cultural significance of such images. Clairin's sketch, therefore, isn't just a portrait; it's a document reflecting the complex interplay between art, celebrity, and society.