Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Astz. It dates from 10 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This print, published in Vanity Fair on December 10, 1913, is part of the 'Men of the Day' series featuring contemporary public figures.
About this work
This print shows a portrait of Raymond Roze.
It was made in 1913 by the artist Astz.
The print is part of a series called “Men of the Day.”
One cool thing: this picture first appeared in Vanity Fair magazine.
It’s dated December 10, 1913 and now lives in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Look up the artist named Astz.
Overview
This print, published in Vanity Fair on December 10, 1913, is part of the 'Men of the Day' series featuring contemporary public figures.
This print, published in Vanity Fair on December 10, 1913, is part of the 'Men of the Day' series featuring contemporary public figures. It depicts Raymond Roze, a British barrister and politician, rendered in the magazine’s signature caricature style. The work originates from the Harry Beard Print Collection and is now held by the Victoria and Albert Museum as a representative example of early 20th-century British illustrated journalism.
Subject & Meaning
Raymond Roze was a prominent legal figure and Conservative MP known for his involvement in public affairs during the Edwardian era. The portrait captures him with the satirical precision typical of Vanity Fair’s series, balancing recognizable likeness with gentle exaggeration. Rather than pure mockery, the image reflects the magazine’s aim to profile influential individuals with wit and cultural relevance, situating Roze within the public imagination of his time.
Technique & Style
The print was executed by the artist known as Astz, whose work employed bold linework and tonal washes to create expressive, stylized portraits. The technique blends lithographic precision with the fluidity of pen-and-ink drawing, characteristic of Vanity Fair’s approach to celebrity portraiture. Subtle shading and minimal color enhance the figure’s presence without overwhelming the composition, aligning with the period’s preference for elegant, readable illustration.
History & Provenance
Originally published in Vanity Fair, the print entered the Harry Beard Collection, a significant assemblage of British theatrical and social caricatures amassed in the early 20th century. The collection was later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it serves as a resource for studying popular visual culture. This particular print retains its original publication date and context, preserving its role as a period document of public life.
Context
Vanity Fair’s 'Men of the Day' series ran from the 1860s to 1914, offering weekly caricatures of politicians, artists, and celebrities. These images functioned as both entertainment and social commentary, reflecting the era’s fascination with public personas. The inclusion of Raymond Roze highlights the magazine’s interest in legal and political figures during a time of shifting social hierarchies and expanding media influence in Britain.
Legacy
The print endures as a record of how public figures were visually mediated in the pre-radio era. Its preservation in the V&A underscores its value as an artifact of journalistic illustration and early mass-media portraiture. While Astz’s name remains obscure, the work contributes to a broader understanding of how caricature shaped public perception and documented the personalities of a rapidly modernizing society.
Artist & collection
Artist
A printer active in 1913, Astz made black-and-white prints of city life. One surviving sheet shows London’s streets in the grip of winter, crowds bundled against December cold and headlined “10th December 1913.” Look…
