Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Impressionist artist Smyth. It dates from 15 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print shows the new Covent Garden Theatre after it burned in 1856. The artist Smyth made it in 1858 to mark the grand reopening. The Victoria and Albert Museum keeps the print today.
The theatre’s opening night starred famous singers Mario and Grisi. Newspapers called the building one of the best opera houses in the world.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this print.
Overview
The H Beard Print Collection is a print depicting the Covent Garden Theatre. Created in 1858 by the artist Smyth, it commemorates the theatre's reopening after a fire.
History & Provenance
The Covent Garden Theatre was rebuilt after a fire in 1856 and reopened in 1858. The print is now held in the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows the newly rebuilt Covent Garden Theatre, which was designed by Edward Middleton Barry and leased to Frederick Gye. It was celebrated for its grandeur and operational excellence.
Context
The theatre's reopening was marked by a production of Meyerbeer's Les Hugenots, featuring singers Mario and Grisi. Contemporary reviews praised the theatre's design and facilities.
Artist & collection
Artist
These prints by an unnamed artist from the mid-1800s show scenes from everyday life in black and white.
