Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Brequet. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This black-and-white print, created in the 1830s by artist Brequet, depicts a moment from Scene VII, Act 4 of the classic comedy play L'Avare.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a specific dramatic scene from L'Avare, a well-known comedy, highlighting a key interaction within the narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed in a straightforward printmaking style characteristic of early 19th-century periodical illustrations, the work features bold lines and minimal tonal shading.
History & Provenance
Published as Plate 274 in issue 152 of La Caricature, a French periodical, during the 1830s. Currently part of the H Beard Print Collection.
Context
Part of a larger series within La Caricature, this print reflects the magazine's practice of illustrating contemporary and classic theatrical works for a broad audience.
Legacy
As part of the H Beard Print Collection and similar archival holdings (e.g., possibly comparable to holdings at institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum), it contributes to the historical record of 19th-century theatrical illustration and print culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Louis Bréquet spent his mornings sketching Paris rooftops and evenings turning the sketches into prints he sold for a franc apiece.
