Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Henry Charles Seppings Wright. It dates from 8 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The print is a portrait of George Faber that appeared in the British weekly magazine Vanity Fair on 8 February 1900.
About this work
This print shows a portrait published in Vanity Fair’s “Men of the Day” series. George Faber’s likeness was captured by Henry Charles Seppings Wright in 1900.
Vanity Fair released a new “Man of the Day” portrait every week, making this one of hundreds of quick celebrity snapshots.
Check out more of the Harry Beard Print Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
It forms part of the publication’s regular “Men of the Day” series, which offered brief visual sketches of notable contemporary figures.
The print is a portrait of George Faber that appeared in the British weekly magazine Vanity Fair on 8 February 1900. It forms part of the publication’s regular “Men of the Day” series, which offered brief visual sketches of notable contemporary figures. The image is attributed to the illustrator Henry Charles Seppings Wright and is now held within the Harry Beard Print Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Subject & Meaning
George Faber, a prominent businessman and public figure of the late‑Victorian era, is depicted in a half‑length pose typical of the series. The portrait presents him in a dignified yet approachable manner, reflecting the magazine’s aim to provide readers with a recognizable likeness of individuals who shaped public life at the turn of the century.
Technique & Style
Executed as a line‑based print, the work employs the crisp, economical drawing style characteristic of Seppings Wright’s contributions to Vanity Fair. The illustration relies on strong contour lines and minimal shading to convey facial features and attire, allowing rapid production for the weekly schedule while maintaining a clear, readable portrait.
History & Provenance
After its initial publication, the print entered the private collection of Harry Beard, a noted collector of periodicals and prints. It was later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is catalogued as part of the museum’s holdings of early twentieth‑century print media, preserving a visual record of the era’s public personalities.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Charles Seppings Wright made prints in the early 1900s, capturing scenes and moments on paper.
