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Charlotte Cushman (American, 1816-1876) made her acting debut playing Lady Macbeth in New Orleans in 1836. She played in the U.S. opposite Edwin Booth (brother of John Wilkes Booth), and in London opposite Edwin Forrest. She had the unique talent of playing, as well as heroines, leading male roles including Hamlet and Romeo, opposite her sister Susan's Juliet. Charlotte Cushman was widely considered to be the greatest actress of her time. She was painted in oils in 1853 by William Page (portrait in National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian), and photographed by Matthew Brady in 1857 (original print in The Houghton Library, Harvard University). Until being acquired for the Franklin Lenthal collection, Giaccimanini's wonderful pastel portrait had been owned since the nineteenth century by the Professional Women's League of the City of New York. It has not been previously offered for sale.