Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by The Illustrated London News. It dates from 31 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print is from The Illustrated London News, dated 31st January 1920.
The print shows photographs from a theater performance of "Julius Caesar" at the St. James, featuring actors Henry Ainley, Basil Gill, and Clifton Boyne. This performance was notable because it was featured in a prominent news publication.
You can learn more about this type of print at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 1920 print, sourced from The Illustrated London News (31st January), presents two photographs capturing a theatrical performance of 'Julius Caesar' at the St. James Theatre.
Subject & Meaning
The print documents a specific staging of Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar', highlighting the roles of Mark Antony, portrayed by Henry Ainley, alongside Basil Gill and Clifton Boyne, showcasing a moment in early 20th-century theatre history.
Technique & Style
The work is a straightforward photographic reproduction, typical of early 20th-century newsprint technology, with no additional artistic embellishments noted beyond the journalistic presentation.
History & Provenance
Originally published in The Illustrated London News on 31st January 1920, the print's current collection is the H Beard Print Collection, with its history prior to this holding not detailed here.
Context
The inclusion of this performance in The Illustrated London News indicates the production's significance and popularity at the time, reflecting the intersection of theatre and media in the early 20th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
The Illustrated London News, founded by Herbert Ingram and first published on Saturday 14 May 1842, was the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine.
