Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Adelina Patti (1843-1919), was born in Madrid and brought up in New York. She made her debut in Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor' in 1859. She rapidly became one of the most celebrated international opera singers of her day. In 1878 she purchased Craig-y-Nos, a neo-gothic castle north of Swansea, to which she added a private opera house. This portrait of about 1873-75 depicts Madame Patti dressed for skating. The Hungarian artist Karoly Marko was the son of a landscape painter. In 1838 he accompanied his father to Italy and in 1884 he moved to Russia.