Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by Edwin Landseer. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This print depicts Isaac Van Amburgh, a renowned big-cat tamer of Dutch and Cherokee descent, as portrayed by Sir Edwin Landseer. The work is an engraving based on a portrait commissioned by the Duke of Wellington.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures Van Amburgh in a dramatic pose, reflecting his fearless reputation as 'The Brute Tamer of Pompeii.' His performances, which mesmerized Queen Victoria, symbolized human dominance over wild beasts in the Victorian era.
Technique & Style
Landseer, known for his animal portraits, employed engraving to convey the intensity of Van Amburgh's interaction with big cats. The style blends realism with dramatic flair, characteristic of Landseer's work.
History & Provenance
Originally a portrait painting commissioned by the Duke of Wellington in 1839, the image was later reproduced as an engraving. Van Amburgh's popularity in London, including at Astley's Amphitheatre and Drury Lane, preceded the artwork's creation.
Context
Created amidst Van Amburgh's London success (1838-1839), the print reflects the public's fascination with exotic animal acts and the artist's connection to British aristocracy, notably the Duke of Wellington and Queen Victoria.
Legacy
The engraving contributes to Landseer's legacy in capturing notable figures and animals of the era. It also commemorates Van Amburgh's brief but significant impact on London's entertainment scene in the late 1830s.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer was an English painter and sculptor, well known for his paintings of animals – particularly horses, dogs, and stags. His best-known work is the lion sculptures at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.
