Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist J. Kennerley. It dates from 8 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a printed portrait featuring Mrs.
About this work
Overview
The work is a printed portrait featuring Mrs. Faucit depicted in the role of Ellen MacGregor. Executed as a single sheet print, it belongs to the H Beard Print Collection, which gathers works produced through printmaking techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents the actress Mrs. Faucit assuming the character Ellen MacGregor, a role known from contemporary stage productions. By portraying the actress in costume, the print highlights the interplay between theatrical performance and visual representation, offering a glimpse into 19th‑century celebrity culture.
Technique & Style
Created using a print medium, the work likely employs line engraving or etching to render facial features and costume details. The style emphasizes clear contours and tonal contrasts typical of portrait prints of the period, allowing for reproducibility while preserving the likeness of the sitter.
History & Provenance
The portrait is part of the H Beard Print Collection, a curated assemblage of prints. Its provenance traces back to the collection’s acquisition, though specific details of its original commission or exhibition history are not recorded in the available data.
Artist & collection
Artist
Printmaker in early 19th-century Britain, J. Kennerley carved everyday scenes onto paper. His prints show the H Beard Print Collection dated 1824 and 1825—think taverns, fairs, and market stalls humming with people.…
