Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Thomas Hargreaves. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The print is called H Beard Print Collection, made by Thomas Hargreaves in 1830.
It's a portrait, which is a type of art that focuses on depicting a person.
The print depicts James Bartleman, and was published by The Misses Bartleman, which suggests a personal connection to the subject.
You can learn more about this style by looking into the movement: Romanticism.
Overview
The work is a printed portrait created in 1830 by the English artist Thomas Hargreaves. It presents James Bartleman, a noted figure of the period, and was issued by the firm identified as The Misses Bartleman, indicating a familial or commercial link to the sitter.
Subject & Meaning
James Bartleman, the subject of the image, was a prominent individual whose identity warranted a dedicated likeness. The portrait format serves to document his appearance and status, offering a visual record rather than an allegorical narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed as a print, the image employs line work and tonal shading characteristic of early nineteenth‑century portraiture. While not overtly decorative, its restrained handling aligns with the broader Romantic interest in individual character and personal expression.
History & Provenance
The print was released by The Misses Bartleman, a publishing entity likely connected to the sitter’s family, suggesting the work may have been intended for private circulation or commemorative purposes. Its survival in collections today reflects its role as a documentary artifact.
Context
Produced during the Romantic era, the portrait reflects the period’s focus on the individual and the importance of personal identity in visual culture. Prints such as this were common means of disseminating likenesses beyond painted portraits, reaching a wider audience.
Artist & collection
Artist
This 18th–19th-century English printmaker specialized in lively crowd scenes and satirical prints of daily life.
