There are no access restrictions.
No known copyright. The Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries believes that this collection is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. (See https://rightsstatements.org/page/NKC/1.0/?language=en)
European opera singer and actor portrait collection, C0555, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries
Purchased from Schubertiade Music by Lynn Eaton in March 2025.
Processing completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in June 2026. Finding aid completed by Meghan Glasbrenner in July 2026.
Johanna Maria Lind, known professionally as Jenny Lind, was born on October 6, 1820 in Stockholm, Sweden. Nicknamed the "Swedish Nightingale," Lind gained fame as an operatic soprano throughout Europe starting at the age of 11. By the age of 28, Lind announced her retirement from the operatic stage, playing her last performance, which was attended by Queen Victoria and members of the British Royal Family, on May 10, 1849 in London, England. In September 1850, Lind sailed to America after showman P.T. Barnum offered her an 18-month contract to perform 150 concerts throughout the United States at the rate of $1,000 per performance. Barnum's advanced publicity led to Lind achieving national celebrity status even before she arrived in America, with the press at the time referring to the enthusiastic reception and high demand for tickets as "Lind mania." Lind donated her earnings to charity, including an endowment of free schools in Sweden. After marrying Otto Goldschmidt in 1852 she returned to Europe where she remained until her death on November 2, 1887 at the age of 67.
Léopold-Émile Reutlinger was born March 17, 1863 in Callao, Peru to a German-Jewish family of photographers. In 1883 he joined the family's photography studio in Paris, France before taking over in 1890. Reutlinger is best know for his photographs of popular actresses and opera singers, including the stars of entertainment venues such as the Moulin Rouge and the Folies Bergère, as well as photographs for fashion and advertising and his pioneering work in erotic photography. He passed away on March 16, 1937 at the age of 73.
Additional biographical information for single image specific individuals can be found in the folder level Scope and Content.
A collection of prints and photographs depicting European opera singers and actors from the 18th-20th century. A total of eighteen different individuals are depicted in the prints, with three depicting opera singer Jenny Lind. One print depicts a composer who worked in opera. Most prints include identifying information in French regarding the subject, with a few including text in English, and are a mix of formal and costume portraits. The prints represent a variety of mediums including lithographs, etchings, photogravure, and drawings based on photographs.
The Special Collections Research Center holds other portrait etchings and illustrations, including Four hand-colored plates of "The Tours of Dr. Syntax" by Thomas Rowlandson and 18th and 19th century hand-colored prints of European figures and theatrical costumes.
The New York Public Library Digital Collections hold a large number of prints by Alexandre Lacauchie.
Items are arranged alphabetically by subject last name.
A Modern Reveal: Songs and Stories of Women Composers. n.d. "Delphine Ugalde." Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.amodernreveal.com/delphine-ugalde.
Bienvenu, Germain. n.d. "Research Guides: Louisiana Music History: Materials in Special Collections: Adelina Patti." Louisiana State University Libraries. Accessed July 17, 2026. https://guides.lib.lsu.edu/LouisianaMusic/patti.
British Museum. n.d. "Alexandre Lacauchie." Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG34480.
Fuller, Nicholas. 2022. "213. La Sirène (Auber)."
Gänzl, Kurt. 2014. "You Dont Have to Be a Skinny to Be a Superstar: Marie Desclauzas." Offenbach & Co. Operetta Research Center, August 25. http://operetta-research-center.org/dont-skinny-soprano-superstar-marie-desclauzas/.
Les Archives Du Spectacle. 1835. "Les Deux Reines." August 6. https://lesarchivesduspectacle.net/s/118775-Les-Deux-Reines.
Mary Evans Picture Library. n.d. "Images of Dozainville, Baptiste-Pierre Dardel, French Actor, 1758-1809." Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.maryevans.com/contributors/flo/dozainville-baptiste-pierre-dardel-45804499.html.
"Meet Jenny Lind, One of America's First Female Celebrities." 2016. January 26. https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stories/jenny-lind.
Royal Collection Trust. n.d. "David Joseph Desvachez (1822-1902) - THE ROYAL SISTERS." Accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.rct.uk/collection/606074/the-royal-sisters.
"SPL Rare Books." n.d. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://www.splrarebooks.com/collection/view/petite-galerie-dramatique-ou-recueil-de-differents-costumes-dacteurs-.3.
Svenskt Kvinnobiografiskt Lexikon. n.d. "Sigrid Taube Marie Arnoldson." Accessed July 13, 2026. http://skbl.se/en/article/SigridArnoldson.
German actress, born Marie Magdalene Charlotte Ackermann (August 23, 1757 - May 10, 1775). Portrait engraved by Weger & Singer.
Swedish dramatic coloratura soprano, born Sigrid Taube Marie Arnoldson (March 20, 1861 - February 7, 1943). Photogravure by Heliog Schutzenberger from a photograph by Reutlinger.
Italian contralto, born Maria Teresa Rebecca Brambilla (June 6, 1807 - November 6, 1875). Engraving depicts Brambilla in one of the many roles she created and plate is likely originally from
French coloratura soprano, born Georgette-Amélie Sisout (1870 – circa 1951). Depicted as photographed by Reutlinger.
Belgian coloratura soprano (1827-1885). Portrait engraved by Charles (C.H.) Vogt, printed by "Imp. Bertauts Cadet, Paris".
French or Belgian actor, engraved by Charles Baugniet. Small version is clipping pasted to heavy backing, larger version is labeled "L'Artiste (No. 16)".
French mezzo-soprano, born Malvina Caroline Ernestine Armand (1841-1912), best known for her career as a leading lady of the opéra-bouffe or comic opera. Illustrated printed by Lemercier & Cie, labeled "Théâtre Du Châtelet" and numbered 932.
French actor, born Baptiste-Pierre Dardel Dozainville (1758-1809). Inscription in French at bottom of portrait identifies him as former actor of the Théâtre Foydan, engraved by Ducarme after H. Garnier.
French dramatic soprano, born Marie-Cornélie Falcon (1814-1897), best known for her unique vocal range, halfway between soprano and mezzo, which is now also known as a Falcon soprano. Portrait engraved by Benoit after Lacauchie, labeled "Galerie Theatrale" and numbered PL 22.
French mezzo-soprano, her name is also spelled Jawurek or Javoureck (1803–1858). Portrait engraved after a drawing by Charles Baugniet.
Engraved by W. Roffe, from a drawing by F. Roffe. Newspaper clipping about the drawing included in folder.
"Likeness from an original painting" published by Johnson, Fry & Co.
"Drawn after Life" engraved by Nikolaus Afinger, image is adhered to heavy backing
Belgian composer and conductor (1784-1851), best known for his work with the Opéra-Comique in Paris and his role as founding director of the Royal Conservatory of Ghent, serving from 1835 until his death. He is identified as "J. Mengal" on the portrait, engraved by Desvachez after Sanderhaert.
Spanish-Italian soprano, born Adela Juana Maria Patti (1843-1919) in Madrida, Patti and her family moved to New York City when she was quite young. She made her operatic debut at the age of 16 at New York City's Academy of Music in 1859 and in 1862 she performed at the White House for President Abraham Lincoln and wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. Through her career she achieved international fame and is historically considered one of my famous and financially successful sopranos. The words "Prima Donna" appear under Patti's under the portrait, engraved by Riddle & Couchman from a photograph by Elliott & Fry and published in the
Likely Italian actor Ernesto Rossi (1827-1896). Illustration published by Chatniere. Image titled "Théâtre Italien" and numbered 130.
French soprano and composer, born Gabrielle Delphine Ugalde (1829-1910), Ugalde transitioned from serious opera to comic operettas the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisien following a serious stage accident in 1861 and where she would also debut some of her own works. Portrait engraved by Chatiniere. Image titled "Théâtre des Nouveautés" and numbered 357.
Likely depicts the character of Zerlina from Esprit Auber & Eugène Scribe's comic opera. Image is a clipping from a periodical, engraved by Mendrick.