Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

H Beard Print Collection, by Théobald Chartran, 15
H Beard Print Collection, by Théobald Chartran, 15

H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Impressionist artist Théobald Chartran. It dates from 15 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The print depicts General Giuseppe Garibaldi and was issued by the British weekly Vanity Fair on 15 June 1878.

About this work

This print shows a portrait of General Giuseppe Garibaldi. It’s a print from 1878, one of many in a series called *Men of the Day* that Vanity Fair published.

The artist, Theobald Chartran, made this for the magazine. It’s part of a larger set of portraits meant to highlight important people of the time.

Check out more works by Chartran, Theobald.

Overview

The print depicts General Giuseppe Garibaldi and was issued by the British weekly Vanity Fair on 15 June 1878. It forms part of the magazine’s recurring series titled “Men of the Day,” which presented contemporary figures in a uniform, illustrated format.

Subject & Meaning

Garibaldi, celebrated for his role in Italian unification, is shown in a dignified pose that emphasizes his military leadership. The portrait serves both as a visual record of a prominent public figure and as a reflection of Victorian interest in heroic personalities from abroad.

Technique & Style

Created by French artist Theobald Chartran, the image is a lithographic print rendered in the magazine’s characteristic line‑drawing style. Chartran’s work combines precise contour work with subtle shading, producing a recognizable likeness within the constraints of mass‑produced illustration.

History & Provenance

The illustration was originally printed for the 1878 issue of Vanity Fair and later entered the Harry Beard Collection, a private assemblage of period prints. Its inclusion in the collection underscores the enduring appeal of Chartran’s portraiture and of Garibaldi’s iconic status.

Context

During the late nineteenth century, Vanity Fair regularly commissioned portraits of political, cultural, and scientific leaders, positioning them within a broader narrative of contemporary achievement. Garibaldi’s appearance aligns with the publication’s aim to inform and entertain a readership keen on current affairs.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Théobald Chartran

Artist

Théobald Chartran

Théobald Chartran (1849–1907) was an artist, born in Besançon.