Artwork
Jenny Lind
Jenny Lind is a print by the Romanticist artist J. Cook. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The print is a portrait of Jenny Lind. It was made in 1847 by J. Cook. The portrait is part of the Harry Beard Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and it's an example of Romanticism, which was an art movement that emphasized emotion and imagination. You can learn more about this style by looking into the movement: Romanticism.
Overview
This 1847 print presents a likeness of the celebrated Swedish soprano Jenny Lind (1820–1887). Executed by the engraver J. Cook and issued by the London publisher Richard Bentley, the image offers a visual record of Lind’s public persona during the height of her fame. The work resides in the Harry Beard Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait foregrounds Lind as a cultural icon of the mid‑nineteenth century, emphasizing her status as a beloved concert singer. By depicting her in a composed, dignified pose, the image conveys the admiration and emotional resonance she inspired among contemporary audiences, reflecting the public’s fascination with celebrity performers.
Technique & Style
Created through printmaking techniques typical of the period, the work exhibits the soft modeling and expressive line work associated with Romantic visual culture. The composition balances detailed facial features with a slightly idealised treatment, aligning with the movement’s focus on emotion, imagination, and the elevation of individual experience.
History & Provenance
First released in London by Richard Bentley in 1847, the print entered the Harry Beard Collection, a private assemblage of nineteenth‑century prints later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum. Its preservation within this institutional context underscores its value as a documentary artifact of Victorian popular culture.
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Artist & collection
Artist
J. Cook made small, elegant silver objects in early 19th-century London. Their tongs (1815–25) show how everyday tools became graceful shapes in Regency dining rooms. A pair of polished metal arms curves to grip sugar…
