Mrs. Robinson
Published as a frontispiece in a volume of Mrs. Robinson's "Poems" 1791, this print is based on Reynolds's portrait of 1783-84 (Wallace Collection, London; Mannings 1532). Writing poetry from the age of seven, and acting from fifteen, Robinson became a star of the London stage in 1776. As Perdita in the Shakespeare's "Winter's Tale," she attracted the attention of George, Prince of Wales who persuaded her to become his mistress, but then left her and failed to deliver promised financial support. A fever left Mary partially paralyzed in 1783, but did not prevent her from writing additional poems, novels, plays, political treatises and essays that led her to become known as the "English Sappho."
Artwork Details
- Title: Mrs. Robinson
- Engraver: Thomas Burke (Irish, Dublin 1749–1815 London)
- Artist: After Sir Joshua Reynolds (British, Plympton 1723–1792 London)
- Sitter: Mary "Perdita" Robinson (British, 1758–1800)
- Date: January 1, 1788
- Medium: Stipple engraving
- Dimensions: Plate: 7 1/16 × 6 in. (18 × 15.3 cm)
Sheet: 10 3/4 × 7 3/8 in. (27.3 × 18.7 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
- Object Number: 17.3.756-1661
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.