Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist J. Ridgeway. It dates from 6 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1789 print features a woman in a theatrical costume, embodying the muse Melpomene.
About this work
This print shows a woman dressed for a stage role. She poses like a tragic muse. The print is from 1789, so it’s old but still crisp.
It’s based on a famous actress named Mrs. Siddons. She played Melpomene, the Greek muse of tragedy. That’s the cool bit—real person, mythic mask.
Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum for more prints like this.
Overview
This 1789 print features a woman in a theatrical costume, embodying the muse Melpomene. The image is crisp despite its age.
Subject & Meaning
The print is based on Sarah Siddons, a renowned actress, in her role as Melpomene, the Greek muse of tragedy, blurring the line between reality and mythological representation.
History & Provenance
Published by J. Ridgeway, the print is part of a broader collection of similar works, with the Victoria and Albert Museum holding related examples.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born in an unknown time, J. Ridgeway made prints like H Beard Print Collection (6th December 1789), capturing a moment in history through ink and paper. This single surviving work offers a glimpse into late-18th-century…
