Research Catalog

Title

Sarah Bernhardt : the art of high drama / Carol Ockman and Kenneth E. Silver ; with contributions by Janis Bergman-Carton, Karen Levitov, Suzanne Schwarz Zuber.

Author

Ockman, Carol

Publication

New York : Jewish Museum, New York under the auspices of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America ; New Haven [Conn.] : Yale University Press, c2005.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Silver, Kenneth E.
• Bergman-Carton, Janis
• Levitov, Karen
• Zuber, Suzanne Schwarz, 1976-
• Bernhardt, Sarah, 1844-1923
• Jewish Museum (New York, N.Y.)

Description

xv, 216 p. : ill. (some col.); 28 cm.

Summary

"Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) was an extraordinary performer, so much so that her name became synonymous with acting. Yet her importance extended beyond the world of theater-she was an icon of French nationalism, a target of both admiration and scorn, an artist and sculptor, and a trendsetting avatar of style. This fascinating book examines the many sides and talents of Bernhardt, from her beginnings at the Comedie Française through her international stardom. Wonderfully illustrated, the book features an unprecedented collection of images relating to Bernhardt's life, including paintings, posters, photographs, costumes, jewelry, stage designs, self-portraits, and sculptures. Bernhardt orchestrated a brilliant sixty-year career as an actress and entrepreneur, becoming a revered patriotic figure in her native France and a beloved star in America, where she undertook nine successful tours. Along the way she sat for the most fashionable artists of her time, became the most photographed woman in the world, and attached her name to everything from hair curlers to liqueurs. This book brings the incredible Sarah Bernhardt to life for contemporary readers and highlights her historical significance and integral place in modern culture. Featured illustrations include: -Art Nouveau posters by Alphonse Mucha depicting Bernhardt in her most famous roles -Designer costumes, tunics, tiaras, and jewelry -A human skull, a gift from Victor Hugo -Portraits of the actress by Jean Cocteau, Felix Nadar, Andy Warhol, and others" http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0634/2005011076-d.html.

Subjects

• Exhibition catalogs
• Actors > France > Exhibitions
• Bernhardt, Sarah, 1844-1923 > Exhibitions

Genre/Form

Exhibition catalogs

Note

• Published in connection with an exhibition held at the Jewish Museum, New York, Dec. 2, 2005-Apr. 2, 2006.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 204-207) and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Foreword / Joan Rosenbaum -- Acknowledgments ; Prologue: Sarah Bernhardt's handkerchief / Carol Ockman, Kenneth E. Silver -- Entr'acte: Bernhardt style -- Was she magnificent? Sarah Bernhardt's reach / Carol Ockman -- Sarah Bernhardt and the theatrics of French nationalism: from Roland's daughter to Napoleon's son / Kenneth E. Silver -- "A vision of a stained glass Sarah": Bernhardt and the decorative arts / Janis Bergman-Carton -- The divine Sarah and the infernal Sally: Bernhardt in the words of her contemporaries / Karen Levitov -- Entr'acte: Bernhardt and advertising -- Bernhardt in the New World: a photographic essay / Carol Ockman, Kenneth E. Silver -- Chronology of Sarah Bernhardt's life / Suzanne Schwarz Zuber.

ISBN

• 0300109199 (clothbound : alk. paper)
• 0300113439 (paperbound : alk. paper)
• 9780300109191
• 9780300113433

LCCN

^^2005011076

OCLC

• 59280117
• SCSB-10660977

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library