Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Impressionist artist Cleman e Belli. It dates from 1876 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1876 print presents a portrait of Virginia Marini, rendered in the graphic conventions of nineteenth‑century printmaking.
About this work
Overview
Its modest dimensions and monochrome palette reflect the typical production values of the period, offering a clear visual record of its sitter.
This 1876 print presents a portrait of Virginia Marini, rendered in the graphic conventions of nineteenth‑century printmaking. The work belongs to the H Beard Print Collection, a grouping of lithographic and engraved images assembled for public and private viewing. Its modest dimensions and monochrome palette reflect the typical production values of the period, offering a clear visual record of its sitter.
Subject & Meaning
The image centers on Virginia Marini, whose identity is conveyed through her attire and pose, suggesting a genteel middle‑class status. While no explicit narrative accompanies the portrait, the composition emphasizes personal presence, a common aim of portrait prints intended to circulate the likeness of individuals within social networks or family archives.
History & Provenance
Issued in 1876, the print likely originated from a commercial studio that specialized in reproducing contemporary portraits for sale. It entered the H Beard Print Collection through acquisition by the collector or institution that assembled the series, though specific details of its ownership trail remain undocumented beyond its inclusion in the collection’s catalogue.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Cleman e Belli made prints in 1876, a snapshot of mid-19th-century visual culture.
![H Beard Print Collection, by Ras. [?] Fidanza](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/ras-fidanza--h-beard-print-collection--16255d31138ee4fe-w320.webp)
