Artwork
Print Collection
Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist P. Begbie. It dates from 1776 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print shows a 1776 view of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane’s new front entrance. It’s a Romantic-era print by P. Begbie, all sharp lines and careful shading.
The work records a single London moment: a grand doorway built for crowds heading to plays. It’s more about the scene than the crowd itself.
Look up more prints by Begbie, P.
Overview
This 1776 print, titled 'View of the New Front towards Bridges Street of the principal Entry to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane', captures a specific moment in the history of London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane, depicting its newly constructed front entrance.
Subject & Meaning
The print focuses on the grand architectural detail of the theatre's main entry, designed to accommodate large audiences attending plays, rather than portraying the crowd itself, emphasizing the venue's prominence.
Technique & Style
Characterized by sharp lines and meticulous shading, the print exemplifies the stylistic traits of Romantic-era printmaking, attributed to the artist P. Begbie.
History & Provenance
Published in 1776, the print's provenance and full historical context are not extensively detailed here, though it is known to be part of P. Begbie's body of work; further examples of Begbie's prints are available for broader insight.
Artist & collection
Artist
Scottish artist P. Begbie made prints in the mid-1700s, a time when prints spread news, maps and portraits across Britain. His 1776 Print Collection shows city views, trade scenes and local types pressed onto paper,…
