Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Swan Electric Engraving Co.. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This nineteenth‑century print presents the actor William Terriss in the role of King Henry VIII.
About this work
Overview
This nineteenth‑century print presents the actor William Terriss in the role of King Henry VIII. Rendered as a single‑sheet image, the work captures the theatrical costume and posture associated with the Tudor monarch, translating a stage performance into a collectible visual format.
Subject & Meaning
The composition foregrounds Terriss’s portrayal of Henry VIII, emphasizing the monarch’s regal bearing and distinctive attire, such as the ruff and crown. By depicting a contemporary actor as a historic figure, the print reflects Victorian interest in dramatizing national history and the popularity of historical drama on the London stage.
Technique & Style
Executed in the print medium, the image likely employs line engraving or lithography, common methods for reproducing theatrical portraits in the period. The style balances realistic facial features with stylized costume details, allowing the likeness of Terriss to be recognized while conveying the grandeur of the Tudor king.
History & Provenance
The print was issued by the London publisher J.S. Virtue, a firm known for producing affordable reproductions of popular subjects in the late 1800s. As a commercial print, it would have been sold to theatre‑goers and collectors, circulating widely among audiences familiar with Terriss’s performances.
Artist & collection
Artist
They turned London’s gas-lit alleys into a printing press, cranking out portraits of actresses and politicians on sheets the size of a postcard.
