Who painted Print Collection?

Print Collection was painted by Frank Teichel in 1850.

Where can I see Print Collection?

Print Collection is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Print Collection

Print Collection is a print by Frank Teichel. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This circa 1850 lithograph, produced by the brothers J.

About this work

Overview

This circa 1850 lithograph, produced by the brothers J. and E. Bettanier after an original drawing by Frank Teichel, depicts a ballet class in a Parisian setting. The image captures the formal atmosphere of a rehearsal space, with dancers arranged in rows under the watchful eye of their instructor.

Subject & Meaning

The scene illustrates the rigorous daily training required of ballet performers in the mid‑nineteenth century, emphasizing the regimented nature of the practice. The presence of a baton‑bearing ballet master underscores the strict discipline imposed on the dancers, reflecting the quasi‑military standards of the era.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithographic print, the work relies on fine line work and tonal contrasts to convey the uniformity of the dancers’ attire and the spaciousness of the studio. The Bettanier brothers’ reproduction retains the original’s compositional clarity while adding the characteristic depth of lithography.

History & Provenance

The lithograph was created shortly after the original drawing by Teichel, a known chronicler of Parisian cultural life. It circulated among collectors interested in theatrical subjects and later entered museum collections as a document of ballet’s institutional history.

Context

During this period, attendance at the Paris Opera’s ballet classes was restricted to members of the exclusive Jockey Club, a social group that often selected dancers as companions. This social dynamic is hinted at by the composition’s focus on the dancers within a controlled, elite environment.