Who painted H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection was painted by George Vertue in 1650.

Where can I see H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

H Beard Print Collection is a print by George Vertue. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The item is a printed sheet that combines a block of narrative text with an illustration portraying Queen Mary I of England alongside King Philip II of Spain. It belongs to the H Beard Print Collection, indicating it was compiled as part of a broader assemblage of similar printed pages.

Subject & Meaning

The central image depicts the joint monarchs, reflecting the political alliance forged by their marriage in 1554. The accompanying caption explains the depicted scene, offering contemporary viewers a visual and verbal account of the royal couple’s public representation.

Technique & Style

The work is executed as a print, a reproducible medium that allowed text and image to be reproduced together. The illustration follows the conventions of mid‑16th‑century portraiture, with attention to regal attire and heraldic symbols, while the text is set in a readable typeface typical of the period.

History & Provenance

Collected within the H Beard Print Collection, the sheet likely originated from a series of printed pamphlets or books that circulated during Mary’s reign. Its inclusion in the collection suggests it was preserved as part of a systematic effort to document printed material from that era.

Context

Printed during the reign of Mary I (1553–1558), the sheet reflects the propaganda efforts surrounding her marriage to Philip of Spain, a union intended to reinforce Catholic restoration and political ties between England and the Habsburg empire.