Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Nathaniel Dance. It dates from 28 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1772 print depicts a full-length figure of the renowned actor David Garrick in the role of Richard III.
About this work
This print shows a man standing full height. He’s dressed for a play, one hand on his hip, the other pointing ahead. It’s from London in 1772, made as a print rather than paint.
The print was published by John Boydell and shows a famous actor named David Garrick playing the part of Richard the Third.
If you like this, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 1772 print depicts a full-length figure of the renowned actor David Garrick in the role of Richard III. Published in London by John Boydell, the work captures Garrick in a theatrical pose.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is David Garrick portraying Richard III, conveying the actor's interpretation of the Shakespearean character through his stance and gestures: one hand on his hip, the other pointing forward, embodying the role's dramatic intensity.
Technique & Style
Executed as a print, the medium allowed for wider dissemination of Garrick's performance. The style reflects the 18th-century theatrical aesthetics, with attention to the actor's costume and expressive body language.
History & Provenance
Published by John Boydell in London in 1772, this print is part of a broader effort to popularize theatrical arts through printmaking, highlighting Garrick's prominence in London's theater scene.
Context
Created during the height of Garrick's career, the print situates itself within 18th-century London's vibrant theatrical culture, where prints like these served to extend the reach of stage performances to a broader audience.
Artist & collection
Artist
British printmaker in the late 1700s and early 1800s, known for detailed portraits and satirical scenes in black-and-white.
