Miss Kemp as Ophelia

David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson

1843-47

Salted paper print from paper negative

Met Museum, object no. 37.98.1.115

Credit: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1937

Courtesy of the Met (image in the public domain)

Fanny Kemble (1809-1893) had separated from her husband by about this time, and returned to her acting career, becoming particularly known for her readings of Shakespeare's plays. It is easy to imagine that her own unhappy marital experiences would have given her rendition of Ophelia a special poignancy. — Jacqueline Banerjee.