Who painted H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection was painted by Samuel De Wilde in 1.

Where can I see H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

Samuel De Wilde , 1

H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Samuel De Wilde. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The print, catalogued in the H Beard collection and alternatively titled “Feast of the Board of Management,” is a satirical engraving that lampoons the administrative body of London’s Drury Lane Theatre. Produced for the periodical The Satirist, it reached a broad readership in the capital during the late eighteenth century.

Subject & Meaning

Through exaggerated caricature, the image portrays theatre officials as participants in a grotesque banquet, implying excess, corruption, and misrule within the institution. The visual humor serves as a public critique of the managerial practices that governed one of the city’s most prominent performance venues.

Technique & Style

Executed as a printed engraving, the work employs fine line work and cross‑hatching typical of contemporary satirical prints. Its composition reflects the broader Romantic interest in social commentary, using exaggerated forms and dynamic arrangement to heighten the sense of disorder and moral commentary.

History & Provenance

The print was issued in London by the publisher S. Tipper for The Satirist, a newspaper known for its political and cultural lampoons. Its inclusion in the H Beard Print Collection indicates later acquisition by a private collector, preserving the piece as an example of theatrical satire from the period.

Context

During the 1770s and 1780s, the Drury Lane Theatre was a focal point of London’s entertainment scene, and its management frequently attracted public scrutiny. Satirical prints such as this one formed part of a vibrant print culture that allowed commentators to address institutional criticism outside formal pamphlets.