A close-cropped bust portrait of Sarah Bernhardt (1844–1923) in theatrical costume as the Empress Theodora, photographed by W. & D. Downey at their studio at 57 & 61 Ebury Street, London. Bernhardt performed the title role of Empress Theodora in Victorien Sardou's production, a part she created in 1884 and reprised to considerable acclaim. Widely regarded as the most famous stage actress of the nineteenth century, Bernhardt sat for W. & D. Downey around 1890.

The subject wears an elaborate multi-tiered Byzantine headdress densely encrusted with large medallion ornaments, cabochon stones, and filigree-set jewels rising to a latticed crown. A fine beaded mesh veil covers the lower face from the nose downward, falling in long trailing panels over the shoulders and décolletage. Large pendant earrings hang at either side, and the neckline visible at the lower edge of the frame is trimmed with layered ornamental discs consistent with the Byzantine imperial costume. The sitter holds a direct, commanding gaze into the lens.

Stage properties associated with Bernhardt's role in *Théodora* included a jewel-encrusted crown among her most celebrated theatrical accoutrements. W. & D. Downey operated studios in London and Newcastle and were especially known for their portraits of aristocracy, royalty, and leading figures of the age, and were named official photographers to the British royal family.

Reverse bears the full W. & D. Downey studio imprint with multiple European royal warrant crests and the designation "Photographers to His Majesty the King, Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, The Royal Family also to the Imperial and Royal Families of Europe, Studios 57 & 61, Ebury Street, London, S.W." A penciled notation "750" appears at the upper right corner of the reverse.