Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Brown, M.. It dates from 20 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a printed portrait showing the head and upper body of Charles Bannister, a well‑known eighteenth‑century comic performer.
About this work
Overview
The work is a printed portrait showing the head and upper body of Charles Bannister, a well‑known eighteenth‑century comic performer. Executed on a single plate, the image forms part of the H Beard Print Collection and is attributed to the artist identified as M. Brown. The composition presents Bannister in a straightforward, frontal pose, emphasizing his facial features and theatrical presence.
Subject & Meaning
Charles Bannister, celebrated for his roles in comic opera and musical theatre, is the sole figure depicted, underscoring his popularity within contemporary entertainment circles. The dedication on the plate to the Anacreontic Society—a gentlemen’s club devoted to music and convivial gatherings—suggests the print was intended as a tribute to both the performer and the social milieu that supported his art.
Technique & Style
Created as a print, the image relies on line work and shading typical of late‑eighteenth‑century portraiture, balancing detail with the constraints of the medium. The rendering reflects a restrained elegance, avoiding excessive ornamentation, and aligns with the broader aesthetic tendencies of the period that favored clear representation over dramatic Romantic excess.
History & Provenance
The plate bears the name of J.R. Smith, who dedicated the image to the Anacreontic Society, indicating a collaborative link between the printer and the club. The work now resides in the H Beard Print Collection, a repository known for assembling prints that document cultural and artistic networks of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Printmaker active in late-18th-century London, M. Brown made satirical engravings kept by the H. Beard Collection. Their plates lampooned politics and daily life, including the 4 June 1786 print and the 12 October 1787…
