Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Destouches. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This coloured lithograph depicts a woman in a pale pink, polonaise-style dress with a fitted black bodice, lace-trimmed apron, and matching hair ribbons. Mounted on cream backing, it bears the label 'Camargo' and attributes to Parisian lithographers Destouches, though neither the subject's identity nor the date is specified.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, referred to as 'Camargo', is likely a portrayal of an actress, given the theatricality of her attire. The name may allude to Jeanne Camargo, a renowned 18th-century French ballet dancer, suggesting a potential connection to the performing arts of the time.
Technique & Style
Executed as a coloured lithograph, the print showcases Destouches' technical skill in capturing intricate details, from the lace on the apron to the ribbons in the subject's hair, reflecting the aesthetic preferences of late 18th to early 19th-century portraiture.
History & Provenance
While the exact date of creation is unspecified, the print's style and Destouches' attribution place it broadly within the late 1700s to early 1800s. The 'Camargo' label provides a clue to its potential inspiration, though the subject's identity and the print's original context remain unclear.
Context
Emerging from a period when lithography was gaining popularity, this work exemplifies how the medium was used to disseminate images of celebrated figures in the arts, catering to the public's interest in theatrical personalities.
Artist & collection
Artist
Destouches is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:André Cardinal Destouches, French composer of Les élémens Franz Seraph von Destouches, German composer Louis-Camus Destouches, artillery officer and…
