Artwork
H Beard Print Collection

H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Arthur William Devis. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The fact that it's a portrait suggests that the artist was focused on depicting a specific person, which was a common practice during the Romanticism movement.
The title of this print is H Beard Print Collection, created by Arthur William Devis in 1797.
This print is a portrait of Mademoiselle Parisot, which is a notable fact about the work. The fact that it's a portrait suggests that the artist was focused on depicting a specific person, which was a common practice during the Romanticism movement.
The Romanticism movement is what you can look up next to learn more about the context of this print.
Overview
The work, catalogued under the title H Beard Print Collection, is a printed portrait executed in 1797 by the English artist Arthur William Devs. It presents a single figure, identified as Mademoiselle Parisot, rendered in the medium of print rather than painting.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on Mademoiselle Parisot, a known performer of the late eighteenth century, offering a visual record of her appearance and bearing. By isolating her likeness, the print serves as a personal representation, reflecting the period’s interest in individual celebrity and the allure of the theatrical world.
Technique & Style
Created as a print, the work employs line and shading typical of late eighteenth‑century engraving practices. The handling of light and texture aligns with the Romantic tendency toward expressive detail, emphasizing the sitter’s facial features and costume while maintaining a controlled, reproducible format.
Context
Produced during the height of Romanticism, the portrait exemplifies the era’s fascination with emotion, individuality, and the exotic. Prints of notable personalities circulated widely, allowing a broader audience to engage with cultural figures such as Parisot, whose fame extended beyond the stage.
History & Provenance
The piece is listed in the H Beard Print Collection, a compilation of works assembled by an early nineteenth‑century collector. Its attribution to Devis and its dating to 1797 have been confirmed through stylistic analysis and archival records associated with the collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Arthur William Devis (10 August 1762 – 11 February 1822) was an English painter of history paintings and portraits.















