Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Abraham Wivell. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1834 print depicts the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
About this work
Overview
This 1834 print depicts the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Produced for the publisher J. Murray, the image forms part of the Harry Beard Print Collection, a grouping of works assembled by the collector Harry Beard.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents Coleridge, a central figure of the Romantic movement, in a conventional pose that emphasizes his intellectual presence. The work serves as a visual record of the poet’s appearance during the later years of his life, reflecting contemporary interest in literary personalities.
Technique & Style
Executed as a print, the image employs line work and shading typical of early nineteenth‑century portrait engraving. The rendering balances detail with a restrained palette, allowing the facial features and attire to stand out without elaborate ornamentation.
History & Provenance
First issued by J. Murray in 1834, the print entered the Harry Beard Collection, a private assemblage of prints gathered by the eponymous collector. Its inclusion in this collection indicates the work’s relevance to the broader interest in literary portraiture of the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
This British printmaker worked in the early 1800s, making portraits and other prints for popular audiences.
