Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by L. M.. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print shows a portrait of Etienne Henri Méhul.
Made in the late 1700s, it’s a single sheet on paper.
The artist used fine lines to shape the face and clothes.
Méhul was a French composer who wrote operas.
His music was popular in Paris before 1800.
This print let people carry his image along with his fame.
Look up the artist L. M. next.
Overview
The H Beard Print Collection features a print portrait of a notable figure from the late 18th century.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Etienne Henri Méhul, a French composer known for his operas, which enjoyed popularity in pre-1800 Paris. The image allowed his likeness to be disseminated alongside his musical reputation.
Technique & Style
The portrait is rendered on a single sheet of paper using fine lines to define the subject's facial features and attire, characteristic of the artist's printmaking technique.
Artist & collection
Artist
L. M. hid in plain sight, signing prints with initials instead of names. A London printmaker, they cranked out crowd-pleasing portraits of famous actors in full costume, selling them cheap on street corners and…
