Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Paul Nash. It dates from 1926 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work comprises two distinct prints: a set design created by Paul Nash for the "Hall of the Gibichungs" in Richard Wagner’s opera Götterdämmerung, and an illustration by John Wenger produced for the ballet titled Enchantment. Both pieces are executed in the print medium and are catalogued together under the title H Beard Print Collection.
Subject & Meaning
Nash’s design visualises the mythic hall where the Gibichung family gathers, reflecting the opera’s dramatic climax and themes of destiny and tragedy. Wenger’s illustration captures a moment of magical allure within the ballet Enchantment, emphasizing the ethereal atmosphere central to the performance’s narrative.
Technique & Style
Each print employs the graphic conventions typical of early‑20th‑century stage design, with bold line work and tonal contrast to suggest depth and mood. Nash’s approach leans toward a stark, expressionist aesthetic, while Wenger’s illustration incorporates softer, decorative elements that evoke the fluidity of dance.
History & Provenance
Both prints were produced as part of the visual planning process for their respective productions, serving as reference material for set construction and costume design. The pieces later entered a private collection, subsequently identified and grouped under the H Beard Print Collection for archival purposes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Nash (11 May 1889 – 11 July 1946) was a British surrealist painter and war artist, as well as a photographer, writer and designer of applied art.
