Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Allingham. It dates from 26 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is an oval-shaped printed portrait dating from 26 September 1803, depicting a woman identified as Miss Mellon.
About this work
One detail stands out: the date is written exactly as “26th September 1803,” day, month, and year.
This print shows a single oval portrait from 1803.
The artist chose Romanticism, a style that liked feeling and drama.
Miss Mellon sat for this picture, one of many in the V&A’s Beard Print Collection.
One detail stands out: the date is written exactly as “26th September 1803,” day, month, and year.
That tells us the artist wanted every detail recorded.
Look next at the movement called Romanticism.
Overview
The work is an oval-shaped printed portrait dating from 26 September 1803, depicting a woman identified as Miss Mellon. Executed as a single image, the piece belongs to the Beard Print Collection held by the Victoria and Albert Museum. Its format and precise dating reflect the conventions of early‑19th‑century portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Miss Mellon, is presented in a restrained pose typical of genteel portraiture of the period. The intimate oval framing focuses attention on her features, suggesting a personal commemoration rather than a public statement. The inclusion of the exact date underscores the desire to record the moment of her sitting.
Technique & Style
Created as a print, the image employs the Romantic aesthetic that favored emotional expression and dramatic presentation. While the medium limits color, the artist achieves depth through tonal contrasts and careful line work, aligning the piece with the early Romantic interest in individual feeling and nuanced atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The portrait entered the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of the Beard Print Collection, a grouping of works assembled by the collector H. Beard. Its documented date and the museum’s cataloguing provide a clear chain of custody from its 19th‑century origin to its current public holding.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist made prints, working in the same era as Goya and Blake. Look for *H Beard Print Collection (26th September 1803)*, a print that shows a detailed scene from everyday life in early 19th-century Britain.…
