Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Asselineau. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. A hand-coloured lithograph depicting the exterior of the Théâtre de Rennes, produced in the 19th century by the printer Destouches.
About this work
Overview
A hand-coloured lithograph depicting the exterior of the Théâtre de Rennes, produced in the 19th century by the printer Destouches.
A hand-coloured lithograph depicting the exterior of the Théâtre de Rennes, produced in the 19th century by the printer Destouches. The image captures the building’s architectural form with precise linework, later enhanced by manual application of watercolour to emphasize details such as windows, cornices, and surface textures. It was later acquired by Harry Beard and became part of his extensive collection of theatrical imagery.
Subject & Meaning
The print presents the Théâtre de Rennes as a civic landmark, rendered with attention to its façade and surrounding urban context. No figures or activity are shown, focusing instead on the structure’s presence within the cityscape. The absence of crowds or performers underscores its role as a static symbol of cultural institution rather than a site of performance.
Technique & Style
Lithographic lines were printed in monochrome, then carefully hand-painted with transparent washes to simulate natural light and material variety. The colouring highlights architectural elements—stone, ironwork, and roofing—while preserving the crispness of the original engraving. Subtle tonal variations suggest depth without overt realism, typical of mid-19th-century topographical prints.
History & Provenance
Printed by Destouches, a known publisher of theatrical views in France during the 1800s, the work entered the collection of Harry Beard, a British collector of stage-related ephemera. His holdings, later donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, include hundreds of similar prints documenting European theatres, preserving their appearances before modern renovations.
Context
In the 19th century, lithographs like this served as affordable visual records for the public, circulating alongside theatre programs and posters. The Théâtre de Rennes, rebuilt after a fire in 1829, was a point of civic pride; such prints helped solidify its image in regional memory, bridging local identity with broader trends in urban documentation.
Legacy
The print survives as part of a larger archive that documents the material culture of European theatre architecture. Its preservation in the V&A’s Harry Beard Collection ensures continued access for scholars studying 19th-century performance spaces, print culture, and the intersection of architecture and public memory.
Artist & collection
Artist
Asselineau made 19th-century prints you can hold in one hand. One of them is H Beard Print Collection, a delicate etching that shows everyday scenes in crisp lines. It belongs to a quiet tradition of finely detailed…
