Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

H Beard Print Collection, by Alfred Edward Chalon, 1837
H Beard Print Collection, by Alfred Edward Chalon, 1837

H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Alfred Edward Chalon. It dates from 1837 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1837 print depicts a scene from Donizetti's opera L'Elisir d'Amore, specifically featuring Catone Lonati as Nemorino.

About this work

This print shows a stage moment from a famous opera. It’s a black-and-white image made in 1837, part of the H Beard Print Collection.

The scene is from Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore, first staged in Milan in 1832. The artist captured an actor playing Nemorino, wearing a cummerbund.

If you like this Romantic-era stage print, look up more works by the artist.

Overview

This 1837 print depicts a scene from Donizetti's opera L'Elisir d'Amore, specifically featuring Catone Lonati as Nemorino. It is a black-and-white image from the H Beard Print Collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a moment from the opera's stage performance, showcasing Nemorino's character, identifiable by his attire, including a cummerbund. The subject highlights a notable role in a popular Romantic-era opera.

Technique & Style

Executed in black and white, the print reflects the stylistic and technical conventions of mid-19th-century opera illustrations, focusing on capturing a live performance's essence.

History & Provenance

First performed at the Theatro della Canobbiana in Milan on May 12, 1832, the opera's success led to the print's publication five years later in 1837, as part of the H Beard Print Collection.

Context

Created during the Romantic era, the print belongs to a tradition of documenting and promoting opera performances through visual arts, reflecting the period's appreciation for theatrical and musical arts.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Alfred Edward Chalon

Artist

Alfred Edward Chalon

Alfred Edward Chalon was a Swiss-born British portraitist. He lived in London where he was noticed by Queen Victoria.