Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Robert Ker, Sir Porter. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This print, titled 'The Stone Theatre at St.
About this work
This is one of the few surviving images of the theater before it burned in 1811.
Sir Robert Ker Porter’s print shows a busy theater crowd in St. Petersburg. The Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre glows behind them. Women in bright dresses hold fans. Men in dark coats stand in groups.
This is one of the few surviving images of the theater before it burned in 1811. Porter sketched it first, then turned it into this print. The scene feels alive, full of movement and light.
Look for prints by Porter at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This print, titled 'The Stone Theatre at St. Petersburg', captures a lively scene of 18th-century Russian high society gathered in front of the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre.
Subject & Meaning
The depiction highlights the theatre as a social hub, with women in vibrant attire and men in formal wear, conveying the cultural significance of the venue in St. Petersburg's elite life.
Technique & Style
Originally sketched on location by Sir Robert Ker Porter, the work was later translated into print, showcasing dynamic movement and play of light, characteristic of Porter's observational style.
History & Provenance
Notably, this print is one of the rare surviving visual records of the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre before its destruction in the 1811 fire.
Context
Works by Sir Robert Ker Porter, including this print, can be found in collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, providing insight into late 18th-century European artistic and social documentation.
Artist & collection
