Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist John Hayter. It dates from 1826 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print shows a moment from a famous opera. It’s a scene of Carl Maria von Weber directing *Der Freischütz* on stage. The print came out in 1826 and uses Romantic-era style.
It was published in London by J. Dickinson. The print captures the energy of a live performance.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more prints like this.
Overview
This 1826 print captures a dynamic moment from a performance of Carl Maria von Weber's opera Der Freischutz at Covent Garden, depicting the composer in three simultaneous poses as he directs the orchestra.
Subject & Meaning
The print commemorates a significant cultural event: the London premiere of Der Freischutz, highlighting Weber's role as both composer and conductor. It conveys the intensity and energy of a live theatrical performance.
Technique & Style
Executed in a Romantic-era style, the print's expressive and dynamic composition reflects the emotional and dramatic qualities of the opera itself, with multiple poses of Weber emphasizing the frenetic activity of directing.
History & Provenance
Published in London by J. Dickinson in 1826, the print is a product of the city's vibrant early 19th-century music and printmaking scenes, likely catering to the interest of London's opera-going public.
Context
Similar prints can be found in collections like the Victoria and Albert Museum, which hold extensive archives of 19th-century theatrical and musical illustrations, providing context for the print's production and reception.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Hayter (21 October 1800 – 3 June 1895) was an English portrait painter who was Painter-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria, whom he first painted when she was 12 years old.
