Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Richard Cosway. It dates from 20 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1783 print portrays the actress Frances Abington in the role of Thalia, the ancient Greek muse associated with comedy.
About this work
This print shows an actress dressed as Thalia, the Greek muse of comedy. It was made in London in 1783 by Richard Cosway. The print is kept at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
It was published by S. Watts the same year it was drawn. Thalia often holds a comic mask, but the print keeps that detail quiet.
Check out more Romanticism prints at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 1783 print portrays the actress Frances Abington in the role of Thalia, the ancient Greek muse associated with comedy. Executed in London, the image was drawn by the artist Richard Cosway and subsequently issued as a print by the publisher S. Watts. The work forms part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection of 18th‑century prints.
Subject & Meaning
Thalia, traditionally depicted with a comic mask, symbolizes theatrical humor and festivity. In this representation, Abington assumes the muse’s identity, emphasizing her status as a celebrated comic performer of the period, while the usual mask attribute is omitted, focusing attention on her costume and expression.
Technique & Style
The image is a hand‑drawn design by Cosway, transferred to a print medium typical of late‑Georgian portraiture. The composition balances delicate line work with a restrained palette, reflecting the neoclassical taste of the era while retaining a theatrical flair suitable for a stage figure.
History & Provenance
Published the same year it was created, the print was circulated by S. Watts, a prominent London printer. Over time it entered the holdings of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is catalogued among other prints documenting the cultural life of 18th‑century Britain.
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.
