R. Bertin in character as Mademoiselle Foscolo. Photographic postcard, ca. 1910.

Lyon : J. Bioletto, [1910]

1 photographic postcard ; 14 x 8.9 cm

Mr. Bertin imitation de Melle. Foscolo excentrique. R. Bertin (signature) Lettering on verso dates the print to 1910 Lettering printed in black on top recto and signature written in black on left recto

The following description was provided by James Gardiner: "Robert Bertin was a skilled impersonator of some of the stars of the French popular theatre. Here he is in drag wearing a flowery dress and holding a perfume spray-bottle in the character of Mlle. Foscolo. She was (judging from the costume) a showgirl/dancer, now obscure, but at the time apparently famous enough to attract imitation from one of the best-known female impersonators of the day. The outfit is spectacular: the short flouncy 'soubrette's' dress is encrusted with sequin and beadwork embroidery; at the throat a seven-row pearl choker and a gem-set collar with drops, rings on every finger, and a bizarre hat with cascading silk flower trim and two feet long pheasant feathers. Despite its early date, this is very much the kind of over-the-top dressing that came to be associated with drag and drag queens much later in the century".

This work is untitled: the title has been supplied by the cataloguer.

Wellcome Collection 2044816i