Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

H Beard Print Collection, by Friston, D. H., 14
H Beard Print Collection, by Friston, D. H., 14

H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Impressionist artist Friston, D. H.. It dates from 14 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This printed image captures a moment from Richard Wagner’s opera *The Flying Dutchman* as it was presented at London’s Lyceum Theatre.

About this work

Overview

This printed image captures a moment from Richard Wagner’s opera *The Flying Dutchman* as it was presented at London’s Lyceum Theatre. The illustration originally appeared in *The Illustrated London News*, where the reverse side carried a contemporary review of that particular performance, pairing visual documentation with critical commentary.

Subject & Meaning

The scene portrays a dramatic episode from the opera, emphasizing the supernatural atmosphere central to Wagner’s narrative of the cursed sea captain. By reproducing a theatrical tableau, the print conveys both the visual spectacle of the production and the emotional intensity of the music drama.

Technique & Style

Executed as a black‑and‑white print, the image employs line work and shading typical of mid‑19th‑century newspaper illustration. The composition balances detailed architectural elements of the Lyceum stage with expressive figures, reflecting the period’s approach to documenting live performance through reproducible media.

History & Provenance

Published in *The Illustrated London News* shortly after the Lyceum staging, the print served as a visual record for readers unable to attend. The accompanying review on the verso provides a contemporaneous critical perspective, making the item a dual artifact of visual and textual reportage from the era.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Friston, D. H.

Artist

Friston, D. H.

David Henry Friston (1820–1906) was a British illustrator and figure painter in the Victorian Era.