A Female Wire Dancer at Sadler's Wells
Dateca. 1688
Periodn/a
Mediumcolored etching on paper
DimensionsSheet: 10 1/2 × 7 1/2 in. (26.7 × 19.1 cm)
Image: 9 5/8 × 6 3/8 in. (24.4 × 16.2 cm)
Image: 9 5/8 × 6 3/8 in. (24.4 × 16.2 cm)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineMuseum purchase, 1951
Object numberSN1546.134.5
[Feb. 2020 installation]
P. Tempest (engraver), British Marcellus Laroon (publisher), British
A Female Wire Dancer at Sadler's Wells, circa 1688 SN1546.134.5
The various disciplines of the circus arts were enjoyed as entertainments long before the ring became their natural home. As a site of leisure activity, Sadler's Wells dates back to the late 17th century and a variety of prints illustrate the range of acts enjoyed by its patrons.
In its long history, there are several mentions of Dutch women performing on the wire at Sadler's Wells. The earliest seems
to be of Mrs. Saftry, whose performances as a rope walker are first noted at Bartholomew Fair in 1682. In 1688 she was commemorated in two prints published by Marcellus Laroon in Cryes of London. In one image the woman balances atop a rope with a long pole. In the second, seen here, she swings on the rope, attended by an Italian Scaramouch, a clown like figure from commedia dell arte.
On View
Not on view
