Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by John Closterman. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This print, part of the H Beard Print Collection, depicts a seated gentleman with a distinctive beard. Executed in the medium of print, the work reflects the portraiture conventions of its period, presenting the sitter in a restrained pose that emphasizes facial features and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The identity of the sitter has been debated; while earlier attributions named the composer Henry Purcell, recent scholarship, including a study by Zimmerman referenced by the Royal College of Music, argues that the portrait more likely represents his brother Daniel Purcell. The work therefore offers a visual record of a lesser‑known figure in English musical history.
History & Provenance
The print is held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, which also maintains documentation on its creator, John Closterman. The museum’s collection records provide the primary source for the work’s attribution and its acquisition history, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for further research.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Closterman (also spelt Cloosterman, Klosterman; 1660 – 24 May 1711 (buried)) was a Westphalian portrait painter of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His subjects were mostly European noblemen and their families.
