Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

H Beard Print Collection, by Georges-Jacques Gatine, 1750
H Beard Print Collection, by Georges-Jacques Gatine, 1750

H Beard Print Collection is a print by Georges-Jacques Gatine. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

The print is titled H Beard Print Collection.
It was created by Georges-Jacques Gatine in the 18th century.
The print is held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is described as 'Paris. Ouvreuse de Loge', indicating it depicts a scene from Paris.
You can learn more about this type of print by looking up the work of artist Gatine, Georges-Jacques.

Overview

This 18th‑century colour print, catalogued within the H Beard Print Collection, bears the title “Paris. Ouvreuse de Loge.” It is part of the holdings of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is identified as a depiction of a Parisian scene.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays a figure associated with a theatre box‑keeper, a role known in French as an “ouvreuse de loge.” By focusing on this occupational niche, the image offers a glimpse into the everyday life and social customs of Paris during the period.

Technique & Style

Executed as a colour print, the piece reflects the printmaking practices of the late 1700s, employing multiple plates to achieve tonal variation and detail. The composition balances line work with washes of pigment, characteristic of French commercial prints of the era.

History & Provenance

Created by the French engraver Georges‑Jacques Gatine, the print entered the H Beard Print Collection before being acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum. Its provenance traces a path from 18th‑century France to a modern public institution.

Artist & collection

Artist

Georges-Jacques Gatine

French printmaker active in the late 1700s, Gatine made crisp black-and-white images for books and broadsides.