Sarah Bernhardt Paintings

Sarah Bernhardt, born Henriette-Rosine Bernard, on October 22, 1844, in Paris, France, was a French stage actress who became one of the most famous actresses of the 19th century in Europe and America, earning the nickname 'The Divine Sarah.' She was renowned for her voice's expressive range and her dramatic interpretations in both tragedy and melodrama. Her mother was a Dutch courtesan named Julie Bernard, and her father's identity remains unclear. Bernhardt was baptized as Roman Catholic, although her maternal family was Jewish.

Bernhardt received her formal education at the Conservatoire de Musique et Déclamation in Paris, where she developed her theatrical skills. Her career began in earnest in 1862 when she joined the Comédie-Française, France's most prestigious theater company. She quickly rose to fame after performing in famous plays by renowned playwrights such as Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo, and Racine. Bernhardt's unique style of acting, marked by intense emotionality and personal magnetism, set her apart from other actresses of her time.

Throughout her career, Bernhardt played a vast repertoire of roles, from classic French heroines to Shakespearean characters like Hamlet, which she famously performed in 1899. She was also a pioneer in using the new medium of film to further her career, starring in several films starting in 1900 with the motion picture 'Le Duel d’Hamlet.' Her talents were not limited to acting; she was also an accomplished sculptor and painter.

Bernhardt's personal life was as dramatic as her stage presence. She was known for her numerous love affairs, her extravagant lifestyle, and her love of exotic pets. She frequently toured internationally, enhancing her reputation as a global celebrity. Despite facing a severe injury in 1905 that eventually led to her leg being amputated in 1915, Bernhardt continued to perform, often in defiance of pain and adversity.

Sarah Bernhardt passed away on March 26, 1923, in Paris, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most compelling and influential performers in the history of the stage. Her contributions to the world of theater have continued to inspire actors and audiences alike, and her life story is the subject of numerous books, plays, and films.