Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Baroque artist Vincenzo Damini. It dates from 1738 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Vincenzo Damini made a print in 1738.
It shows a man named Johannes Devoto, just his head and chest.
The museum says it’s a portrait, not a full figure.
Most prints in the 1700s used fine lines to catch light and shadow.
This one likely used that trick to shape Devoto’s face.
Baroque art often did that to look dramatic.
Look up chiaroscuro next.
Overview
This 1738 print by Vincenzo Damini presents a portrait of Johannes Devoto, focusing on his head and upper torso.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Johannes Devoto, is depicted in a contemplative, intimate manner, characteristic of Baroque portraiture's emphasis on individuality.
Technique & Style
The print employs fine lines and chiaroscuro, a hallmark of 18th-century printmaking, to create dramatic lighting effects that sculpt Devoto's facial features.
History & Provenance
Created in 1738 by Vincenzo Damini, the print is part of the H Beard Print Collection, with its provenance tracing back to the collection's assembly.
Artist & collection
Artist
Vincenzo Damini made formal prints in 18th-century Italy, often capturing faces and figures.
