Artwork
Celeste as the Arab boy
Celeste as the Arab boy is a print by the Romanticist artist William Drummond. It dates from 6 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This print depicts a scene from the 1837 play Victoire!
About this work
Overview
This print depicts a scene from the 1837 play Victoire!, a military drama performed at London's Adelphi theatre. It features the French dancer and actress Céleste in one of her roles.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Céleste as Hamet, a mute Arab boy, in a French Army camp with a distant view of Constantina. The role was created to showcase her expressive dancing and mime abilities.
History & Provenance
The print was made in 1838, a year after Victoire! opened. Céleste was a popular performer in London and New York, known for her versatility in playing multiple roles in the same production.
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Artist & collection
Artist
William Drummond painted portraits of early British museum leaders in the 1830s. His 1837 oil portrait shows Sir Frederic Madden, a manuscript curator, wearing the robes of his post. Drummond also made printed images…
