Who painted H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection was painted by Edward Jones in 1850.

Where can I see H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

H Beard Print Collection is a print by Edward Jones. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This print records a deal from 1807. Edward Jones made a contract for Angelica Catalani to sing three nights in Dublin. She’d earn £1200—about a fortune back then.

Two small portraits are tucked in here. One shows Catalani herself. The other may be Michael Kelly, the man who helped set up the shows.

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Overview

The terms secured her performance for three nights in Dublin at a fee of £1200, an exceptionally high sum for the time.

This print documents a contractual agreement from 1807 between Edward Jones and Mr. De Valabrique, acting on behalf of the soprano Angelica Catalani. The terms secured her performance for three nights in Dublin at a fee of £1200, an exceptionally high sum for the time. Accompanying the text are two small portrait engravings, one of Catalani and another possibly depicting Michael Kelly, a prominent figure in London’s musical theater scene.

Subject & Meaning

The print serves as a legal artifact tied to the commercialization of elite musical performance in early 19th-century Britain. Catalani, one of Europe’s most celebrated sopranos, was a major draw; her engagement reflected the growing market for international artists in provincial cities. The inclusion of portraits underscores the cultural value placed on celebrity performers, transforming a business document into a keepsake of fame.

Technique & Style

The print combines engraved text with miniature portrait illustrations on cardstock, typical of ephemeral publishing practices of the period. The lettering is precise and formal, reflecting legal conventions, while the portraits are rendered in fine line work, emphasizing facial features over detail. The integration of image and text suggests an intent to blend documentation with commemoration.

History & Provenance

The print originates from the H. Beard Print Collection, which gathers materials related to British theatrical and musical history. It likely circulated among theater managers, musicians, or collectors interested in the logistics of touring opera. Its survival indicates its perceived importance as both a record and a memento of a significant cultural moment in Dublin’s musical life.

Context

In 1807, Dublin was a key center for musical performance in the British Isles, attracting top European talent. Angelica Catalani’s tour was part of a broader trend of transnational artist mobility, supported by wealthy patrons and impresarios like Edward Jones. Michael Kelly, a singer and manager, frequently facilitated such engagements, bridging Italian opera and British audiences during a period of expanding public concert culture.

Legacy

This print preserves a snapshot of the economic and social infrastructure behind 19th-century musical performance. It illustrates how artistic excellence was commodified and how celebrity was visually constructed. Though modest in scale, it contributes to understanding the networks that enabled international artists to reach provincial audiences, shaping the development of public concert life in the British Isles.