Frances Abington (née Barton) as Roxalana in Bickerstaff's 'The Sultan'
- Artist: Thomas Bellamy
- Artist: Sir Joshua Reynolds
- Artist: William Ridley
- Date: 1797
- Medium: stipple
- Dimensions: Long Term Loan
- Portrays: Frances Abington (née Barton)
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
In this engraving of Frances Abington (née Barton) you see her in character as Roxalana from Bickerstaff’s opera “The Sultan.” The stipple technique gives delicate tonal shading across her face and costume, revealing subtle details of light and texture. William Ridley etched the image, while Thomas Bellamy published it in 1797 based on a drawing by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Abington was an actress active at the turn‑of‑the‑century stage, and this portrait captures her theatrical persona.
See it in person
Frances Abington (née Barton) as Roxalana in Bickerstaff's 'The Sultan' is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
