Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Hollis. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print is part of the H Beard Print Collection. It's a work from the Romanticism movement.
The print is an engraved portrait of Mr Henry Betty as Faulconbridge in King John. This was created around 1844, and it's part of the Harry Beard Collection.
To learn more about the style and techniques used in this print, look up the technique of sfumato.
Overview
The work is an engraved portrait dating from around 1844 that depicts the actor Henry Betty in the role of Faulconbridge from Shakespeare’s King John. It belongs to the Harry Beard Print Collection and is classified within the Romanticism period.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures Betty in costume, emphasizing the dramatic character of Faulconbridge, a loyal supporter of King John. The portrait serves both as a record of a theatrical performance and as a celebration of the actor’s reputation in mid‑nineteenth‑century theatre.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving, the print relies on incised lines to render tonal variation and fine detail, typical of Romantic-era portraiture that favored expressive, emotive rendering over strict realism.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1844, the print entered the Harry Beard collection, a private assemblage of 19th‑century prints. Its documentation traces back to the original engraving plates used for theatrical portrait series of the period.
Context
During the 1840s, theatrical portraiture was a popular means of disseminating images of celebrated actors. The Romantic movement’s focus on individual emotion and dramatic intensity is reflected in the heightened expression of the subject.
Artist & collection
Artist
This 19th-century printmaker carved everyday scenes for broad audiences. Look for the hand-colored sheet *H Beard Print Collection* from around 1844, packed with crisp figures, sharp lines, and social details that were…
