Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Smyth. It dates from 10 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1847 print, part of the Harry Beard Collection, depicts three ballet dancers on stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
About this work
This print shows three dancers frozen in a sweeping pose at Her Majesty’s Theatre. It’s a quiet slice of stage life from 1847, captured in ink and paper.
One dancer’s dress has a little flower spray, another plain silk, and the third tiny wings on her back—tiny details that make the scene feel real.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 1847 print, part of the Harry Beard Collection, depicts three ballet dancers on stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Rendered in ink on paper, the image captures a moment of synchronized movement, with each figure poised in an arabesque and arranged along a diagonal line.
Subject & Meaning
The three performers—identified as Rosati, Grisi, and Cerito—are shown in full‑skirted costumes typical of mid‑19th‑century ballet. Their identical arabesque highlights the unity of the dance while subtle costume differences hint at individual roles within the choreography.
Technique & Style
Executed in a fine ink print, the work relies on line and shading to suggest the flowing fabrics and delicate details of the costumes. The artist emphasizes texture through small decorative elements: a spray of flowers on Rosati’s dress, a plain silk gown on Grisi, and miniature wing motifs on Cerito’s back.
History & Provenance
The print originates from the Harry Beard Collection, a 19th‑century assemblage of theatrical illustrations. It was later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains catalogued as part of their print holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
These prints by an unnamed artist from the mid-1800s show scenes from everyday life in black and white.
