Who painted H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection was painted by Hasegawa Settan in 1832.

Where can I see H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

Hasegawa Settan , 1832

H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Hasegawa Settan. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work is a printed illustration created in 1832 by Hasegawa Settan, depicting a scene from a Saruwaka kabuki performance. It references a production staged at the Nakamura Theatre, an establishment founded by the actor‑manager Saruwaka Kanzaburo in 1624, and includes a caption linking the image to that historic venue.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays a kabuki play associated with the Saruwaka troupe, likely intended to honor the legacy of Saruwaka Kanzaburo, the first actor‑manager of Edo’s theatrical scene. The accompanying note suggests the print serves as a commemorative visual record of early Edo‑period performance practices.

Technique & Style

Although the print was engraved in 1832, its visual elements—particularly the costume design—derive from an earlier source dating to around 1680. This layering of older stylistic details onto a later engraving reflects a common practice of reusing and updating traditional motifs in ukiyo‑e print production.

History & Provenance

The illustration forms part of Hasegawa Settan’s broader series titled "An Account of Edo," which documented various aspects of the city’s cultural life. The note attached to the print indicates that the image was based on an antecedent work, linking it to the early Edo theatrical tradition and to the Nakamura Theatre’s historical records.