Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Charles John Smith. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This is a 1836 print by Charles John Smith. It shows a simple cottage in Haverstock Hill. Below the image is a real 1713 letter written by Sir Richard Steele to an unknown lord.
The print was made from a drawing of Steele’s home done in 1804. Smith published it himself in 1836.
Turn left after the gallery and look up the Romanticism movement.
Overview
This 1836 print by Charles John Smith combines an image of a cottage in Haverstock Hill with a facsimile of a 1713 letter. The cottage depicted was the residence of Sir Richard Steele, based on a drawing from 1804.
Subject & Meaning
The print's subject is the humble cottage of Sir Richard Steele, a notable figure, juxtaposed with his own handwriting in a letter to an unidentified lord, potentially highlighting the intersection of the personal and literary realms of a public figure.
Technique & Style
The work is a print, specifically an example of 19th-century printmaking, with the image derived from an earlier (1804) drawing. The inclusion of a facsimile letter adds a layer of historical and personal depth to the composition.
History & Provenance
Originating from a 1804 drawing of Steele's Haverstock Hill cottage, the print was published by Charles John Smith in 1836. The letter reproduced dates back to 1713, written by Steele to an unknown lord.
Context
Created in 1836, this print reflects a Victorian interest in the lives and residences of earlier literary figures like Steele, who was prominent in the 18th century. It may also touch on the broader themes of the Romantic movement, which often emphasized the personal and the natural world.
Artist & collection
