Josephine GIRARDELLI "THE FIREPROOF WOMAN"

Circa 1815 drawing (6 7⁄8 x 4 3⁄8”)ri. Finely executed watercolor on paper, being a full-length image of the incombustible Italian lady who mystified London with her ability to resist all types of fire and heat. Contemporary inked caption described her thus: "Signora Josephine Girardelli Exhibited her art 23 New Bond St. -- boiling melted lead into her mouth, walking over a bar of red hot iron with her naked feet, washing her hands in aquafortis, etc., etc., etc.” .

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