Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by S. Begg. It dates from 16 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The print, issued shortly after a Covent Garden performance of Wagner’s *Siegfried*, captures the dramatic moment when Brunnhilde awakens onstage, with Siegfried positioned nearby. The image was reproduced in *The Illustrated London News*, providing contemporary audiences with a visual record of the opera’s staging.
Subject & Meaning
The foreground scene illustrates the pivotal ‘Awakening of Brunnhilde’, a key narrative point in the opera where the heroine emerges from a magical sleep. The portrayal emphasizes the theatrical tension between the two protagonists, highlighting the mythic rescue motif central to Wagner’s work.
Technique & Style
Executed as a black‑and‑white illustration, the print employs line work and shading typical of early‑20th‑century newspaper art. The composition balances detailed figure rendering with broader stage elements, allowing the viewer to discern costume, set design, and the actors’ expressions within the constraints of print reproduction.
History & Provenance
The front side of the sheet presents the *Siegfried* scene, while the reverse features an illustration of the Richmond Horse Show held on 9 June 1900. Both images were published in the same issue of *The Illustrated London News*, reflecting the paper’s practice of pairing cultural and sporting events for a broad readership. The print is now held in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection.
Context
At the turn of the century, Covent Garden was a leading venue for Wagnerian productions in London, and *The Illustrated London News* served as a primary visual source for the public. The inclusion of the Richmond Horse Show on the verso illustrates the period’s eclectic editorial mix, juxtaposing high art with popular leisure activities.
Artist & collection
Artist
Early 20th-century printmaker S. Begg specialized in black-and-white news-sheet illustrations for London’s H. Beard collection, turning daily headlines into shareable images. Four of these ephemeral prints survive: the…
