Sarah Siddons of feminine propriety. Commissioned and completed in 1784, Sir Joshua Reynolds' portrait, "Sarah Siddons as The Tragic Muse", is characterized by Reynolds' inspiration, contextualisation of the Muse, and distinctive brush work and paint palette. This portrait, as Heather McPherson writes, became the known depiction of tragedy, infused with contemporary ideas about acting and representation of the passions in Siddons' melancholy expression and deportment. Mary Hamilton's correspondence with her fiancé illuminated its seamless transition from "the artist's studio to the theatrical stage", practical venues that interlocked in the eighteenth century and formed a large part in creating the very idea of
Sarah Siddons as the Tragic Muse yellow ochre, with dark and light browns. Various tints of orange can be seen showing through for the highlighted areas of the golden fabrics to create a natural sheen that reflects real life. Grays and stark white coats override the colors and image where shadow and light play. Brush Work: Siddons' head is very thinly painted with a delicate and fine brush while the coloring of her face is kept to a fine, thin layer. In fact, Reynolds feared that by over-glazing, he would ruin the final outcome. The artist applies fine detail to the folds of the rich heavy