Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Roberts. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print is interesting because it shows a character from a play, which suggests it might have been used to advertise a performance.
The title of this print is H Beard Print Collection.
It was created by Roberts in the early 19th century.
The print depicts Charles Kemble as Faulconbridge in King John and was published by Hodgson.
This print is interesting because it shows a character from a play, which suggests it might have been used to advertise a performance.
Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to learn more about this and other prints.
Overview
The work is an early‑19th‑century print, catalogued under the title H Beard Print Collection. It was produced by the artist known as Roberts and issued by the publisher Hodgson. The image captures the actor Charles Kemble in costume as Faulconbridge, a character from Shakespeare’s historical drama King John.
Subject & Meaning
The print presents Kemble in the role of Faulconbridge, a nobleman who appears in the latter part of the play. By portraying a specific theatrical performance, the image functions as a visual record of 19th‑century stage practice and may have served to publicise an upcoming or recent production of King John.
Technique & Style
Executed as a print, the work employs line work and shading typical of the period’s reproductive processes, allowing for relatively fine detail in the actor’s costume and facial features. The composition focuses on a half‑length portrait, emphasizing the theatrical attire and expression of the character.
History & Provenance
Printed by Hodgson, a known London publisher of theatrical imagery, the piece entered the market during a time when such prints were popular among theatre‑goers and collectors. Its attribution to Roberts places it within the broader output of early‑19th‑century printmakers who documented contemporary drama.
Context
Charles Kemble (1775‑1854) was a prominent member of the famous Kemble acting family, and his portrayal of Faulconbridge would have been a notable event for audiences of the era. Prints of this kind were commonly displayed in playbills, ticket offices, or sold as souvenirs, linking visual culture with the theatrical world.
Artist & collection
Artist
Roberts made prints in the late 1700s to early 1800s, often capturing scenes in ink on paper.
