Harriet Pye Esten (née Bennett)
- Artist: K. Mackenzie
- Artist: Andrew Plimer
- Artist: Vernor & Hood
- Date: 1804
- Medium: stipple
- Dimensions: Long Term Loan
- Portrays: Harriet Pye Esten (née Bennett)
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
In this portrait you see Harriet Pye Esten, born Bennett in 1761 and famed for her stage work. She looks directly out of the canvas, a relaxed yet alert gaze framed by soft stippling that gives her face a gentle texture. Her hair is pinned neatly beneath a modest hat, and a small pearl pendant catches the light. The background is plain, letting the sitter’s features take center stage.
The image was created in 1804 as a printed piece—K. Mackenzie handled the engraving, based on Andrew Plimer’s earlier miniature work—and then published by Vernor & Hood. Stipple was a popular method for small portraits at that time because it allowed subtle shading without brush strokes.
This print survived into the National Portrait Gallery’s collection as NPG L269.B7.15, a single‑sitting portrait of an actor who lived until 1865.
See it in person
Harriet Pye Esten (née Bennett) 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.
