Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by John Hopper. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This work is a reproduction of a mezzotint portrait depicting Mrs.
About this work
This print shows a woman from an old play. The artist, John Hopper, made it around 1910. It’s a print, not a painting, done in a smooth style called mezzotint.
The woman plays a character named Hypolita. The title says it’s a reproduction of a print that shows her in that role.
Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more prints like this one.
Overview
This work is a reproduction of a mezzotint portrait depicting Mrs. Jordan in the role of Hypolita, a character from the early 18th‑century comedy *She Would and She Would Not*. The image was produced by John Hopper around 1910 and is presented as a print rather than a painted work.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures the actress in costume as Hypolita, a figure associated with themes of romantic intrigue and social satire in the original play. By focusing on the theatrical persona, the image reflects contemporary interest in celebrity and stage representation.
Technique & Style
Executed in mezzotint, the print employs a smooth tonal gradation characteristic of the medium, allowing subtle modeling of light and shadow. Hopper’s handling emphasizes the delicate features of the sitter while preserving the atmospheric quality typical of early‑20th‑century reproductive prints.
History & Provenance
Created as a reproduction, the print likely served to disseminate the popular image of Mrs. Jordan’s performance beyond the theatre. It entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is catalogued among other theatrical portraiture.
Context
Mrs. Jordan (Dorothea Jordan) was a celebrated actress of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, renowned for her comedic roles. The original mezzotint would have been part of a broader visual culture that celebrated theatrical stars through printed portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
This printmaker made crisp, black-and-white views of city streets around 1910. One of their prints shows a row of parked wagons in a narrow lane near a river dock. The style is simple and clear, letting shapes and…
