Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Henry William Pickersgill. It dates from 14 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1826 print depicts the actress Miss Booth in the role of Letitia Hardy from the comedy The Belle’s Stratagem.
About this work
Overview
This 1826 print depicts the actress Miss Booth in the role of Letitia Hardy from the comedy The Belle’s Stratagem. Executed as a portrait, the image captures the theatrical costume and pose associated with the character, offering a visual record of early nineteenth‑century stage performance.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents Miss Booth embodying Letitia Hardy, a witty heroine who navigates romantic intrigue. By portraying the actress in character, the print underscores the popularity of the play and highlights the cultural practice of commemorating notable theatrical roles through printed portraiture.
History & Provenance
The print is part of the Harry Beard Collection, a private assemblage of theatrical and portrait prints. Its inclusion in this collection indicates its relevance to the study of performance history and the preservation of visual documentation of 19th‑century actors.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henry William Pickersgill RA (3 December 1782 – 21 April 1875) was an English painter specialising in portraits. He was a Royal Academician for almost fifty years, and painted many of the most notable figures of his time.
