Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by James Whittle. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This colour print advertises sheet music for the song "All the world's in Paris!
About this work
Overview
This colour print advertises sheet music for the song "All the world's in Paris!" and features a portrait of Mr. Grimaldi, who performed the song in the 19th-century pantomime Harlequin Whittington.
Subject & Meaning
The print's subject is dual: promoting the song and highlighting Mr. Grimaldi's association with it. The lively scene from Harlequin Whittington and the placement of lyrics under his portrait emphasize his performance.
Technique & Style
The print combines a portrait with a musical advertisement, characteristic of 19th-century promotional materials. The colour scheme and layout suggest a vibrant, attention-grabbing approach typical of theatrical ephemera.
History & Provenance
Originally part of Mr. Grimaldi's personal collection, the sheet music print is now part of a broader collection, such as the H Beard Print Collection, indicating its preservation as a historical theatrical artifact.
Context
Created in the context of 19th-century British theatre, particularly pantomime, this print reflects the era's promotional strategies and the popularity of figures like Mr. Grimaldi in London's theatrical scene.
Artist & collection
Artist
James Whittle made hand-colored prints of everyday scenes and news events in early 1800s London.
