Artwork
Print Collection
Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist W. Richardson. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This early nineteenth‑century print presents a portrait of the English dramatist Philip Massier, accompanied by a Latin inscription that translates as “True and Living Image of Philip Massier, Gentleman.” The work was issued in 1800 by the London publisher W. Richardson, a firm known for producing commemorative prints of literary figures.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is the playwright Philip Massier (1583–1640), whose works contributed to the Jacobean stage. The accompanying Latin legend underscores the intent to offer a faithful visual representation, suggesting the print was meant as a respectful homage for admirers of his literary legacy.
Technique & Style
Executed as a printed image, the work likely employed copperplate engraving or etching, common methods for portraiture in the period. The composition balances a clear, front‑facing likeness with a modest background, allowing the focus to remain on the sitter and the inscribed dedication.
History & Provenance
Printed by W. Richardson in 1800, the image reflects the early‑Victorian interest in reviving and celebrating earlier English writers. Richardson’s catalogues frequently included such portrait prints, which were distributed to a readership of scholars and collectors interested in literary history.
Artist & collection
Artist
W. Richardson’s surviving prints from the late 1700s sit quietly on the page—small, dated engravings of everyday scenes and portrait heads. The three works here (from 1795, 1798, and 1800) are all pulled from the same…
