Sarah Bernhardt. And the woman created the star

The "Divine" Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) is an emblematic figure of the turn of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
As the centenary of her death is being celebrated in 2023, she is the subject of an exceptional exhibition at the Petit Palais - Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, which holds one of her most beautiful portraits painted by her friend Georges Clairin and donated by her son Maurice.

More than four hundred works retrace the life and theatrical career of this "sacred monster", a term coined for her by Jean Cocteau, and also present lesser-known aspects of her life, such as her activity as a painter and writer, but above all as a sculptress. The museum preserves many of her works throughout her life.

Sarah Bernhardt, an accomplished actress and artist

Throughout her career, Sarah Bernhardt interpreted roles created by the greatest authors, from Racine to Shakespeare via Edmond Rostand or even Alexandre Dumas fils and caused a sensation on stages all over the world. Her "golden voice" and her lanky figure, atypical at the time, fascinated the public as much as the artistic and literary world, which devoted a veritable cult to her. She was a friend of painters such as Gustave Doré, Georges Clairin, Louise Abbéma and Alphonse Mucha**, but also of writers such as Victor Hugo, Victorien Sardou and Sacha Guitry and musicians such as Reynaldo Hahn.

The exhibition evokes her greatest roles through the presentation of stage costumes, photographs, pictures showing her at work, posters… and also presents the artist behind the formidable actress with an entire section of the exhibition dedicated to this aspect of her life
Photographs** and even a film reveal the intimacy of the designer but also the publicity she intended to give to her work as an artist. Several objects that belonged to her also illustrate "intimate Sarah", her various homes, her heterogeneous and abundant interiors, her dresser, and recall her taste for eccentricity.

A true star, Sarah Bernhardt** died in 1923 at the age of 79.

More exhibitions in Paris Region.