Adeline Plunket

About this work

Here’s a dreamy print from 1847. It shows Adelina Plunkett as a péri—a graceful, superhuman being from Persian myths. Romantic artists loved this stuff. Her costume mixes Indian-looking jewels with a stiff bell skirt. Ballet shoes peek out, a new style back then. The print captures the ballet craze. Mid-1800s stage stars were seen as untouchable spirits. Exotic far-away places were the vibe, not real history. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.