Artwork
Print Collection

Print Collection is a print by Snapp. It dates from 12 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1901 print, titled 'The Master Builder', presents a portrait of Henrik Ibsen, the renowned Norwegian playwright.
About this work
This print shows a portrait of the famous playwright Henrik Ibsen. It’s a single sheet meant to be pasted up or kept flat. The artist Snapp made it in 1901.
The image comes straight from Vanity Fair magazine. It’s one of many portraits the magazine used to sell itself at the time.
Check out more prints by Snapp at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 1901 print, titled 'The Master Builder', presents a portrait of Henrik Ibsen, the renowned Norwegian playwright. Created by artist Snapp, it originates from Vanity Fair magazine.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Henrik Ibsen, is portrayed in a characteristic Vanity Fair style, likely aiming to capture his literary prominence. The title 'The Master Builder' references one of Ibsen's notable plays, contextualizing his artistic reputation.
Technique & Style
The print is a single sheet, designed for display either by being pasted up or kept flat. Its style aligns with Vanity Fair's period portraits, which were known for their distinctive and recognizable approach to depicting celebrities of the time.
History & Provenance
Published in 1901 in Vanity Fair, this print was part of the magazine's practice of featuring portraits to enhance its appeal. The artist, Snapp, was among those contributing such works.
Context
Vanity Fair's inclusion of such portraits reflects the late 19th and early 20th-century practice of using celebrity images to boost magazine sales and cater to public interest in notable figures.
Legacy
Examples of Snapp's work, including potentially this print, can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum, contributing to the archival record of early 20th-century magazine illustration.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist made a 12th December 1901 print collection, a single dated work that survives today.











