Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Johann Christian Schoeller. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This hand‑coloured etching presents a dual portrait of the 19th‑century Austrian actor Johann Nestroy, depicting him in two contrasting stage costumes. The left panel shows Nestroy in a formal black suit and white shirt, while the right panel captures him in a loosely fitted yellow‑blue uniform. Both images are reproduced from the same print, which belongs to the Harry Beard collection.
Subject & Meaning
The two figures illustrate the range of roles Nestroy performed. In the first, he appears as a poet in the comedy *Weder Lorberbaum noch Bettelstab*, his attire emphasizing a dignified, literary persona. The second portrays a disreputable soldier from the farce *Twelve Girls in Uniform*, the garish uniform underscoring the character’s comic vulgarity.
Technique & Style
The work is an etching that has been manually coloured after printing, a common practice in the period to enhance visual appeal. The hand‑applied pigments retain the original line work of the etching, allowing subtle tonal differences between the sober black‑and‑white costume and the bright, contrasting hues of the military outfit.
History & Provenance
The print is catalogued within the Harry Beard collection, a private assemblage of theatrical imagery. Its provenance traces to the collection’s acquisition of various actor portraits, though specific details of its earlier ownership remain undocumented.
Context
Johann Nestroy (1801–1862) was a leading figure in Viennese theatre, renowned for his satirical plays and versatile performances. The two plays referenced—*Weder Lorberbaum noch Bettelstab* and *Twelve Girls in Uniform*—represent the comedic and socially critical repertoire that defined his career.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Christian Schoeller made prints, simple black-and-white pictures carved on metal plates.
