Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist George Dance. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1812 print presents a portrait of Samuel Arnold, rendered as a single sheet engraving.
About this work
This print shows a portrait of Samuel Arnold from 1812. The artist, George Dance, made it as part of his print collection. Published by William Daniell, it’s a single sheet print—not a painting.
It’s one of many prints Dance produced, not a painting or sculpture. The museum calls it part of the H Beard Print Collection.
If you like this, check the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 1812 print presents a portrait of Samuel Arnold, rendered as a single sheet engraving. Executed by George Dance, the image was issued by the publisher William Daniell and now resides within the H Beard Print Collection. The work exemplifies early‑nineteenth‑century printmaking practices, offering a clear, linear representation of its subject without the depth of a painted canvas.
Subject & Meaning
The figure depicted is Samuel Arnold, a notable composer and music director of the period. The portrait serves both as a visual record of Arnold’s appearance and as a commemorative image, reflecting the contemporary interest in documenting cultural figures through reproducible media.
Technique & Style
Dance employed line engraving techniques typical of the era, using fine hatching to model facial features and clothing. The composition is straightforward, focusing on a half‑length bust against a neutral background, allowing the viewer to concentrate on the sitter’s expression and attire.
History & Provenance
Printed in 1812, the work was distributed by William Daniell, a prominent London publisher of prints. Over time it entered the H Beard Print Collection, a curated assemblage of British prints, and is now held by the museum for public access and scholarly study.
Context
During the early 1800s, portrait prints were a common means of disseminating images of notable individuals beyond elite circles. This print aligns with that tradition, offering a relatively affordable and widely circulated likeness of a leading figure in England’s musical life.
Artist & collection
Artist
This printmaker worked in 18th- and early-19th-century London, turning public moments into sharp, black-and-white images.
