Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Boyce. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This print depicts an actor as Comus, a character from John Milton's 1634 masque, in a stage scene.
About this work
Engraved for Ladies’ Magazine around the late 1700s, it’s a single sheet in black ink.
This print shows an actor playing Comus in a stage scene from The Masque of Comus. Engraved for Ladies’ Magazine around the late 1700s, it’s a single sheet in black ink. The mask title comes from a poem Milton wrote in 1634.
Boyce used a printing technique that lets light and dark stand out sharply. That style was fresh in printmaking then, so this sheet feels crisp and bold. The museum bought it as part of H. Beard’s big print collection.
Look up the artist Boyce next.
Overview
This print depicts an actor as Comus, a character from John Milton's 1634 masque, in a stage scene. Engraved in black ink, it was created for Ladies' Magazine in the late 1700s.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a theatrical representation of Comus, a figure from Milton's masque. The scene is likely from a stage production, highlighting the character's role in the performance.
Technique & Style
The engraving, done by an artist using a technique that emphasizes contrast, features sharp distinctions between light and dark areas, giving the image a crisp appearance.
History & Provenance
The print was acquired as part of the H. Beard Print Collection by the museum. It was originally engraved for publication in Ladies' Magazine.
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Artist & collection
Artist
She printed in a back room lit by a single bulb, sleeves rolled past her elbows, stacking copper plates like pancakes.
