Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist W. S. Johnson. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This print depicts a full-length portrait of Mr.
About this work
This print captures him in that style, part of a larger collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print shows a full-length portrait of an actor named Mr. Edmund Kean dressed as the Shakespearean king Richard III. It was made in London by W. S. Johnson between 1846 and 1890.
Edmund Kean was a famous Romantic-era actor known for intense, dramatic performances. This print captures him in that style, part of a larger collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Look up the Romanticism movement next.
Overview
This print depicts a full-length portrait of Mr. Edmund Kean in the role of Richard III, published by W. S. Johnson in London between 1846 and 1890.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Mr. Edmund Kean, was a renowned Romantic-era actor celebrated for his intense, dramatic stage presence. This portrait captures him embodying the character of Richard III, reflecting his performance style.
Technique & Style
The print's style aligns with the aesthetics of the Romantic movement, emphasizing dramatic expression and emotional depth, characteristic of Kean's acting approach.
History & Provenance
Published in London by W. S. Johnson, the print's exact date within the 1846-1890 range is unspecified. It is part of the H Beard Print Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Context
Created during the tail end of the Romantic era, the print situates Kean's portrayal of Richard III within the broader cultural appreciation for Shakespearean drama and the emotional intensity of Romanticism.
Legacy
As part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, the print contributes to the historical record of Edmund Kean's influence on theatrical performance and the visual representation of Shakespearean characters during the Romantic era.
Artist & collection
Artist
W. S. Johnson made prints in the mid-1800s, leaving behind the H Beard Print Collection between 1846 and 1890. Their work sits in that crowded print-shop era when shops like the one on Fleet Street turned out…
