Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Richard Phillips. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a 19th‑century engraved portrait bust depicting a woman identified as Mrs Billington.
About this work
Overview
The work is a 19th‑century engraved portrait bust depicting a woman identified as Mrs Billington. Executed by the British artist Richard Phillips, the image presents a profile view rendered through fine line work on paper. It belongs to the Harry Beard Collection, a grouping of prints assembled by the collector Harry Beard.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures the likeness of Mrs Billington in a classical bust format, a common mode for commemorative portraiture of the period. The profile orientation emphasizes the sitter’s facial features and attire, offering a dignified representation intended for personal or familial remembrance.
Technique & Style
Phillips employed engraving, a printmaking process that involves incising lines into a metal plate, which are then inked and transferred onto paper. The resulting image is characterized by delicate, controlled strokes that convey texture and shading, typical of mid‑19th‑century British portrait engravings.
History & Provenance
The print is catalogued by the Victoria and Albert Museum as an engraving of Mrs Billington, confirming its attribution to Phillips. It entered the Harry Beard Collection, a private assemblage of prints, where it remains documented as part of that grouping.
Context
During the 1800s, engraved portrait busts were a popular means of reproducing likenesses before the widespread use of photography. Artists like Phillips often produced such works for patrons seeking affordable yet refined images of family members or notable individuals.
Artist & collection
