Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Angiolini. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 19th‑century print portrays the Italian vocalist Cesare Badiali.
About this work
This print shows Cesare Badiali in a portrait. It’s an old print by Angiolini from around the 1800s. The Victoria and Albert Museum keeps it in their collection.
The artist, Angiolini, made this print in the 19th century. You can still see it in London today. It’s part of a whole set called the H Beard Print Collection.
Curious about prints from this time? Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 19th‑century print portrays the Italian vocalist Cesare Badiali. Executed by the engraver Angiolini, the image forms part of the H Beard Print Collection, a grouping of works assembled in the early 1800s. The piece is presently conserved by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where it is displayed among other period prints.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait focuses on Badiali, a celebrated baritone of his era, presenting him in a dignified pose that emphasizes his status as a public figure. While the image offers little narrative beyond the sitter’s likeness, it serves as a visual record of a prominent musical personality, reflecting the 19th‑century interest in documenting cultural icons.
Technique & Style
Angiolini employed traditional intaglio methods, likely copperplate engraving, to achieve fine line work and tonal variation. The composition adheres to the conventions of portraiture of the time, with a restrained background that directs attention to the subject’s facial features and attire, characteristic of early‑Victorian print aesthetics.
History & Provenance
Created in the early 1800s, the print entered the H Beard Print Collection, a private assemblage of contemporary prints. It later transferred to the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings. The museum’s catalogue records the work under the artist’s name, Angolin i, and identifies the sitter as Cesare Badiali.
Artist & collection
Artist
Angiolini printed 19th-century European theater scenes, especially the costumes and stage designs that made each act look like a moving picture.
