Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Williams, C.. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Clara - a Bravura is an 1802 print depicting Elizabeth Billington (née Weichsel), a renowned opera singer, in character.
About this work
Her powerful voice made her London’s top-paid singer that year.
This print shows opera star Elizabeth Billington in character.
It’s from 1802 and part of the Romantic period.
Her powerful voice made her London’s top-paid singer that year.
London papers called her one-night salary a thousand pounds.
She split performances between Covent Garden and Drury Lane.
Her big range stunned crowds in roles like Mandane.
Check out the artist behind this print: Williams, C.
Overview
Clara - a Bravura is an 1802 print depicting Elizabeth Billington (née Weichsel), a renowned opera singer, in character. The work is part of the Romantic period and was published in London by S. W. Fores.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays Elizabeth Billington in her role as Mandane from Thomas Arne's opera Artaxerxes. Billington was celebrated for her exceptional vocal range, notably showcased in the opera's aria, The Soldier, tir'd of War's Alarms.
Technique & Style
Attributed to artist C. Williams, the print's style aligns with early 19th-century caricature traditions, as seen in contemporaries like Gilray, who also depicted Billington. The technique reflects the era's printmaking, though specific methods used by Williams are not detailed here.
History & Provenance
Published in 1802 by S. W. Fores in London, the print 'Clara - a Bravura' is part of the H Beard Print Collection. Original context suggests it capitalized on Elizabeth Billington's peak popularity that year.
Context
Reflecting the cultural zenith of opera in early 19th-century London, the print captures Billington's professional pinnacle. Her dual engagement at Covent Garden and Drury Lane, and a reported one-night fee of £1000, underscored her status as London's top-paid singer in 1802.
Legacy
As a representation of Elizabeth Billington in her prime, 'Clara - a Bravura' serves as a historical artifact of London's opera scene during the Romantic period, highlighting Billington's impact on the musical landscape of her time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Prints from the early 1800s by an artist whose name begins with C. Williams. Both prints in this set come from the H Beard Collection and carry exact dates: one dated January 1, 1802 and another June 9, 1803. These…
