Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

H Beard Print Collection, by William Hogarth, 1743
H Beard Print Collection, by William Hogarth, 1743

H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Baroque artist William Hogarth. It dates from 1743 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This 1743 print from the Harry Beard Collection presents a complex, dynamic scene accompanied by a thought-provoking inscription: 'Qui color albus erat, nunc est contrarius albo' ('Who was white in colour, now is contrary to white'). This phrase hints at a thematic focus on transformation or contrast.

Subject & Meaning

The inscription suggests the print explores a shift or reversal, potentially of moral, social, or symbolic nature, given the contrast between 'white' (often connoting purity) and its 'contrary'. The exact subject of this transformation is not explicitly stated, inviting interpretation.

Technique & Style

While specific technical details of the print are not provided, its style can be contextualized alongside the works of William Hogarth, implying possible elements of satire, detailed composition, and narrative depth characteristic of 18th-century British printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1743, the print is part of the Harry Beard Collection. Further historical context or the artist's identity is not specified in the available information.

Artist & collection

Portrait of William Hogarth

Artist

William Hogarth

William Hogarth (; 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, engraver, satirist, cartoonist and writer.