In my diary for 1888 I was always
writing about it:
"The picture of me is nearly finished, and I think it magnificent.
The green and blue of the dress is splendid, and the expression as
Lady Macbeth holds the crown over her head is quite wonderful.
"Henschel is sitting to Sargent. His concerts, I hear, can't be
carried on another year for want of funds. What a shame!
"Mr. Sargent is painting a head of Henry--very good, but mean about
the chin at present.
"Sargent's picture is talked of everywhere and quarreled about as
much as my way of playing the part.
"Sargent's 'Lady Macbeth' in the New Gallery is a great success.
The picture is the sensation of the year. Of course opinions differ
about it, but there are dense crowds round it day after day. There
is talk of putting it on exhibition by itself."
Since then it has gone over nearly the whole of Europe, and now is
resting for life at the Tate Gallery. Sargent suggested by this picture
all that I should have liked to be able to convey in my acting as Lady
Macbeth.
_My Diary._--"Everybody hates Sargent's head of Henry. Henry also.
I like it, but not altogether. I think it perfectly wonderfully
painted and like him, only not at his best by any means.
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