Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by E. Bocourt. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 19th‑century print depicts Edward Alleyn, the noted Elizabethan actor and founder of Dulwich College.
About this work
This print shows a portrait of Edward Alleyn. E. Bocourt etched the image in the 19th century. It’s a print, not a painting, so the lines are crisp and bold.
Bocourt worked from a painting at Dulwich College. Printers Chardon and Sormani in Paris made the prints after his etching. The Harry Beard Collection now holds it.
Look up the artist directly.
Overview
This 19th‑century print depicts Edward Alleyn, the noted Elizabethan actor and founder of Dulwich College. The image is an etched reproduction, rendered in bold, precise lines characteristic of the medium, and is presently part of the Harry Beard Collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Alleyn in a formal pose, emphasizing his status as a cultural benefactor. By reproducing his likeness, the work reinforces his legacy within the educational institution he established, serving both commemorative and documentary purposes.
Technique & Style
Etcher E. Bocourt translated an original oil painting into a copper plate, employing fine incised lines to capture facial features and attire. The plate was then printed by the Parisian firms Chardon and Sormani, whose press work preserved the clarity of the etching while allowing multiple copies.
History & Provenance
Bocourt’s etching was based on a portrait housed at Dulwich College, likely created in the early 17th century. After the plate was printed in Paris, the resulting impressions entered private hands, eventually being acquired by the Harry Beard Collection, where they remain accessible for study.
Artist & collection
Artist
This French printmaker carved crisp, detailed scenes straight onto woodblocks in the 1800s.
