Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Peter Conde. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The print is titled H Beard Print Collection and was created by Peter Conde in 1792.
It's a print that depicts Margaret Martyr, which is an interesting subject. The fact that it was published in 1792 gives us a sense of the time period in which it was made.
You can learn more about this style of print by looking into the movement: Romanticism.
Overview
This print, part of the H Beard Print Collection, was produced in 1792 by Peter Conde. It portrays Margaret Martyr, a figure whose identity may relate to contemporary literary or moral narratives of the period. The work is a commercial print, typical of late 18th-century British publishing, intended for public circulation rather than private commission.
Subject & Meaning
Margaret Martyr appears to reference a literary or moral archetype, possibly drawn from popular fiction or didactic tales of the era. Her depiction likely embodies virtues such as endurance or piety, common themes in prints meant to instruct or appeal to middle-class sensibilities. The name suggests a narrative of suffering or sacrifice, aligning with prevailing cultural ideals of female virtue.
Technique & Style
Executed as a printed image, the work employs engraving or etching techniques common in the period, allowing for mass reproduction. Lines are precise and controlled, with tonal variation achieved through hatching. The composition is formal and restrained, emphasizing the figure’s posture and expression over elaborate background detail.
History & Provenance
The print entered the H Beard Print Collection, a 19th-century assembly of British graphic material, likely acquired during the collector’s active years. Its survival reflects the popularity of such prints as cultural artifacts. No record of prior ownership or exhibition history is documented beyond its inclusion in this collection.
Context
Produced during the early years of Romanticism, the print reflects transitional tastes—still rooted in Enlightenment ideals of moral clarity but beginning to embrace emotional resonance. While not avant-garde, it aligns with the era’s interest in domestic virtue and individual character, themes amplified in popular literature and visual culture.
Legacy
As a modestly produced print, it holds little direct influence on major artistic movements. Its significance lies in its role as a cultural artifact, offering insight into how moral narratives were visually disseminated to the public. Today, it serves as a record of popular taste and print culture in late Georgian Britain.
Artist & collection
Artist
Peter Conde made early print images, mostly from the late 1700s to early 1800s. He produced two engravings now in the H Beard Print Collection: one from 1792 and another after 1831. Both prints sit in the broader…
