Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

H Beard Print Collection, by Isaac Robert Cruikshank
H Beard Print Collection, by Isaac Robert Cruikshank

H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Isaac Robert Cruikshank. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

It’s part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Beard Print Collection, a group of 19th-century works.

This print shows an actor’s last moments. It’s a Romantic-era engraving, made in London around 1833. The scene centers on the deathbed of Mr. Edmund Kean, a famous performer, with two men beside him—likely his son among them.

The image was published by William Houstoun, a London print dealer. It’s part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Beard Print Collection, a group of 19th-century works.

Curious about the style? Look up the movement: Romanticism.

Overview

This 19th-century print, part of the Beard Print Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, captures a poignant moment: the deathbed scene of renowned English actor Edmund Kean, surrounded by loved ones.

Subject & Meaning

The print focuses on Edmund Kean's final moments, emphasizing emotional intimacy. The presence of two men, one likely his son Charles John Kean, underscores personal loss and familial grief within the context of celebrity.

Technique & Style

Executed as a Romantic-era engraving (c. 1833), the print embodies characteristics of Romanticism, though specific stylistic details are not highlighted in available information. For stylistic context, the broader movement of Romanticism can be referenced.

History & Provenance

Published in London by William Houstoun, a print dealer, around 1833. It is now held within the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of the Beard Print Collection, a gathering of 19th-century prints.

Context

Created during the Romantic era, the print reflects the period's emphasis on emotion and the personal. It also captures a moment in the life of a celebrated figure, Edmund Kean, highlighting the intersection of public fame and private sorrow.

Artist & collection

Artist

Isaac Robert Cruikshank

Isaac Cruikshank (5 October 1764 – 1811) was a Scottish painter and caricaturist, known for his social and political satire.