Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist J. Asperne. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The fact that it's a portrait of a specific person suggests that it was likely made to commemorate or honor him in some way.
The H Beard Print Collection is a print made by artist Asperne, J. It was created on 1st December 1819.
This print is a portrait, specifically a head and shoulder portrait of Mr R. W. Elliston Esq. The fact that it's a portrait of a specific person suggests that it was likely made to commemorate or honor him in some way.
To learn more about the style and techniques used in this print, look into the movement: Romanticism.
Overview
The work titled “H Beard Print Collection” is a printed portrait executed by J. Asperne on 1 December 1819. Rendered in a head‑and‑shoulder format, the image depicts the gentleman identified as Mr R. W. Elliston, Esq. As a single‑sheet print, it serves as a visual record of the sitter’s appearance and status in the early nineteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Mr R. W. Elliston in a formal pose, emphasizing his facial features and attire. Such individualized representations were commonly commissioned to commemorate a person’s social standing, professional achievements, or familial pride, suggesting the print functioned as a personal or familial tribute rather than a purely decorative object.
Technique & Style
Created with printmaking methods typical of the period, Asperne’s work reflects the Romantic era’s interest in individual character and expressive detail. The rendering balances precise line work with subtle tonal shading, capturing both the sitter’s likeness and a sense of personal presence that aligns with Romantic portraiture’s focus on emotional resonance.
History & Provenance
The print bears a precise date of 1 December 1819, situating it within the late‑Georgian context. While the current ownership history is not documented, the inclusion of the sitter’s full name and title indicates it may have been retained by the Elliston family or circulated among acquaintances as a commemorative image.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jasper Asperne spent his days running errands for the East India Company, but in the evenings he slipped into a print shop to make tiny etchings of London streets.
