Artwork
Print Collection
Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist John Brandard. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1840s print by John Brandard depicts a pivotal scene from Act II of the Romantic ballet *Giselle*. The image captures the moment when the titular character, a young peasant girl, transcends death to save her lover from the vengeful Wilis.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Giselle as a spirit, embodying the dual Romantic ballet archetype: the mortal girl and the unattainable, ethereal being. Her actions in this scene illustrate the triumph of love over the Wilis' desire for revenge, reflecting the era's penchant for idealizing women as redemptive figures.
Technique & Style
Created by John Brandard, a notable artist of ballet-themed prints, this work exemplifies the aesthetic of mid-19th-century printmaking. Brandard's style, though not detailed here, would have been characteristic of the period's illustrative approaches to capturing dance and theatrical scenes.
History & Provenance
Produced in the 1840s, this print coincides with the ballet's original popularity. Conceived by Théophile Gautier for Carlotta Grisi, *Giselle* premiered in 1841, with this print serving as a contemporary visual interpretation of its iconic second act.
Context
The print reflects the Romantic era's fascination with themes of love, death, betrayal, and the supernatural, as embodied by the vengeful Wilis and Giselle's redemptive love. It also highlights the era's tendency to idealize women, often placing them on a pedestal as unattainable beings.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Brandard made detailed prints for the theater world in the 1830s–1850s, turning operas and ballets into eye-catching sheet music covers and playbills.
