Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Hubert-François Bourguignon Gravelot. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This printed image presents the figure known as Le Clairon, whose full name was Clair Josèphe Hippolyte Leris.
About this work
Overview
This printed image presents the figure known as Le Clairon, whose full name was Clair Josèphe Hippolyte Leris. The work is a single‑sheet print that was issued by the publisher John Bowles, a name associated with eighteenth‑century print distribution. The composition focuses on the sitter, rendered in the stylized manner typical of the period’s portrait prints.
Subject & Meaning
Le Clairon, identified by his full name, appears as the central subject of the print, suggesting a portrait intended to convey his social or professional identity. While the image does not include explicit narrative elements, the choice to reproduce his likeness indicates a degree of public recognition, possibly linked to performance or cultural activity associated with the name "Le Clairon."
Technique & Style
The print was produced for circulation by John Bowles, a known publisher of prints in the era. Though the specific printing method is not detailed, Bowles’s output commonly employed engraving or etching techniques, allowing for fine line work and reproducibility. The medium of paper and ink would have facilitated broader distribution among collectors and patrons of printed portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hubert-François Bourguignon Gravelot
Gravelot made late‑18th‑century prints that show scenes from plays and daily life with crisp, etched lines.
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