Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Richard Cosway. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The H Beard Print Collection contains a portrait print of Mrs Billington depicted as Coraly, a character from a theatrical production.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Mrs Billington, is portrayed in her role as Coraly, indicating the print's connection to 18th-century theatrical culture, specifically a play or opera featuring this character.
Technique & Style
As a print, the work utilizes techniques common to 18th-century printmaking, such as engraving or mezzotint, to achieve detailed, expressive likenesses, characteristic of portraitures from this era.
History & Provenance
Part of the H Beard Print Collection, the print's history is tied to the collector's interests in theatrical and portrait prints, though specific dates of creation and acquisition are not detailed here.
Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Cosway (5 November 1742 – 4 July 1821) was a leading English portrait painter of the Georgian and Regency era, noted for his miniatures.
