From 15 June until 16 September 2007, in the Jewish
Historical Museum, the exhibition Sarah Bernhardt: The Art of
High Drama will go on display. This exhibition focuses on the
life and work of the famous French actress who was the first
international superstar. In the course of her career, "The Divine
Sarah" turned out to be the most important tragedienne of her time.
Her very name became synonymous with acting, stirring the
imaginations of people around the world - even
today.
The exhibition in the JHM displays more than 150 magnificent
objects that portray her life, celebrity and theatrical style, but
also the fashion, taste and politics of the "fin de siècle".
Besides paintings, photos, costumes and well-known Art Nouveau
posters by Alphonse Mucha, the exhibition includes personal
mementos, a recording of her voice and a selection from the films
she made.
Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) was the daughter of a Dutch-Jewish
courtesan in Paris. She played major roles in the French theaters
including the Comédie-Française. Touring with her own theater
troupe, she went on to capture a place on the international stage.
Her performances in America, Australia, Great Britain and Russia -
as well as Egypt, Turkey and Tahiti -made her world famous. On
several occasions, Bernhardt also appeared in the
Netherlands.
Bernhardt, born five years after the invention of photography, was
a pioneer in using modern technologies to disseminate her image. In
her era, she was probably the most photographed woman in the world
and the public was familiar with Bernhardt from lithographic
posters of her displayed on the street. She lent her name to
products such as LU biscuits and liquor. The attention she managed
to generate around her public personality was unheard of for that
time. She was the first great stage actress to achieve success on
the silver screen.
Sarah Bernhardt: The Art of High Drama is based on an
exhibition organized by The Jewish Museum, New York. This major
loan exhibition was realized with the generous participation of the
Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Along with the Sarah Bernhardt exhibition, in its Print Room, the
JHM will display never before seen work by the Dutch artist Charlotte Salomon
(1917-1943). These are studies Salomon made for her famous
masterpiece Life? or Theatre?.
For illustrations and more information please
contact the Communications Department
T +31 (0)20-5310370
F +31 (0)20-5310311
E Communications
Department