Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist J. Mortimer. It dates from 25 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work titled H Beard Print Collection is a hand‑coloured print produced in London. It bears the inscription “Let no Dress be kept in Mind But the Dress of Rosalind,” linking the image to a literary reference. The print was issued by the publisher H. Humphrey and is attributed to the artist J. Mortimer.
Subject & Meaning
The quoted line invokes Rosalind, a character from Shakespeare’s *As You Like It*, suggesting the image engages with themes of disguise and identity. The emphasis on “the dress of Rosalind” points to a focus on costume as a vehicle for personal expression rather than external appearance.
Technique & Style
Executed as a print with hand‑applied colour, the piece reflects the delicate, decorative approach common in late‑eighteenth‑century printmaking. The manual colouring adds nuance to the line work, creating a subtle tonal range that enhances the narrative element of the inscription.
History & Provenance
Published in London by H. Humphrey, the print emerged within the commercial print market that catered to a growing readership for literary and decorative images. Its attribution to J. Mortimer places it among the artist’s lesser‑known printed works, though the exact date of production remains undocumented.
Context
The image aligns with Romantic‑era interests in literature, emotion, and the individual’s inner life. By referencing Shakespeare, the print participates in the period’s broader fascination with re‑interpreting classic texts through visual media, a hallmark of Romantic cultural production.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist made satirical prints in the 1770s, poking fun at daily life and politics.
