H Beard Print Collection

Hippomène et Atalante was originally presented in 1749 as an opera‑ballet, combining dance, music, and sung dialogue. The libretto was authored by Brunet, while the score was composed by Vachon. The cover page references these creators and situates the work within its historical performance context.

Executed as a single‑sheet print, the 1885 version reproduces the original 1749 design, preserving its typographic layout and illustrative elements. The print’s style reflects mid‑nineteenth‑century reproduction methods, likely employing intaglio or lithographic processes typical of the Harry Beard Print Collection.

The print forms part of the Harry Beard Print Collection, a compilation of historic prints assembled by the collector Harry Beard. Though the original opera‑ballet dates to the mid‑eighteenth century, this particular cover was produced more than a century later, illustrating the continued interest in the work’s visual heritage.

Opera‑ballets such as Hippomène et Atalante occupied a prominent place in French court entertainment during the Rococo period, blending mythological narratives with elaborate choreography. The 1885 cover serves as a retrospective artifact, documenting the enduring appeal of such productions beyond their initial performance era.