Modjeska
Editorial comment for this plate:
MODJESKA.
WE take pleasure in presenting our readers this week with an excellent portrait of, all things considered, probably the greatest actress at present on the dramatic stage. Madam Modjeska is, it is true, most familiar to playgoers in comedy, but she is not less successful in the heaviest of tragedies. We see her here depicted as Lady Macbeth, in Shakespeare’s profound tragedy. It is certainly a striking picture. The strong contrasts and sharp shadows, the pose of the figure, and its lighting, all go to make an impressive effect. It is moreover an excellent likeness of the lady who is depicted. The negative was made by Rösch, of St. Louis. It was exhibited at the Washington Convention of the P. A. of A., and met with wide praise at that time. We are glad to show our readers so successful an attempt in a somewhat original line of portraiture.
Helena Modjeska: 1840-1909
Helena Modrzejewska; born Jadwiga Helena Misel Benda; and known professionally in the United States as Helena Modjeska, was a Polish-American actress who specialized in Shakespearean and tragic roles. She was also a philanthropist and a socialite. She was successful first on the Polish stage. After emigrating to the United States, she also succeeded on stage in America and London. She is regarded as the greatest actress in the history of theatre in Poland. She was also a member of the Pacific Coast Women’s Press Association and was mother of a prominent Polish-American engineer Ralph Modjeski.—Wikipedia (2026)
J. Edward Rösch: 1861-1934
