Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Fanny Corbaux. It dates from 15 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This print presents a portrait of the 19th‑century contralto Emma Albertazzi, rendered in the guise of the operatic character Zerlinda.
About this work
Overview
This print presents a portrait of the 19th‑century contralto Emma Albertazzi, rendered in the guise of the operatic character Zerlinda. The work is executed in a single print medium, offering a visual synthesis of the singer’s identity with a theatrical role.
Subject & Meaning
The image aligns Albertazzi with Zerlinda, a heroine from the opera *Il Trovatore*. By portraying the vocalist in costume, the print underscores the close association between performers and their signature roles, reflecting contemporary practices of commemorating singers through portraiture.
Technique & Style
Created as a print, the work relies on line work and tonal contrasts typical of the period’s graphic reproduction methods. The composition emphasizes the figure’s facial expression and costume details, allowing the viewer to recognize both the artist’s likeness and the operatic character’s attributes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marie Françoise Catherine Doetger "Fanny" Corbaux (1812–1883) was a British painter and biblical commentator. She was also the inventor of kalsomine (calcimine), whitewash with added zinc oxide.
