Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Impressionist artist R. Dunthorne. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This print depicts a sketch of the actress Ellen Terry in the Ophelia costume she wore for the Lyceum Theatre’s 1886 production of Hamlet.
About this work
Overview
This print depicts a sketch of the actress Ellen Terry in the Ophelia costume she wore for the Lyceum Theatre’s 1886 production of Hamlet. The image presents her standing within a stylised woodland setting, emphasizing the tragic character’s connection to nature.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is rendered in the iconic white costume associated with Ophelia, highlighting the purity and fragility of the role. The surrounding forest backdrop reinforces the character’s association with the natural world and her eventual drowning.
Technique & Style
Executed as a line drawing for a print, the work combines delicate contour work with minimal shading, allowing the costume’s faux‑ermine trim and the flowing dress to be clearly delineated. The composition balances the figure against a simplified landscape, typical of late‑Victorian theatrical illustration.
History & Provenance
The print was issued by the publisher R. Dunthorne, located at 5 Vigo Street, on 1 March 1886. It forms part of the Harry Beard Collection, a compilation of theatrical prints and ephemera from the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
This printmaker carved crisp lines into everyday scenes. In “H Beard Print Collection (1st March 1886),” a calendar date is the only text; the rest is a quiet London street under wintry light. We see carts, shopfronts,…
