Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by F. Maggi. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a printed portrait titled “Al Sublime Ternario,” catalogued within the Harry Beard Collection.
About this work
Overview
The work is a printed portrait titled “Al Sublime Ternario,” catalogued within the Harry Beard Collection. It presents three figures, Giuseppina Strepponi, Giacomo Roppa, and Giorgio Ronconi, arranged together in a single composition. The subtitle hints at a thematic or allegorical intent, though the print’s precise narrative remains undefined.
Subject & Meaning
The three depicted individuals were notable 19th‑century performers: Strepponi, a celebrated soprano; Roppa, a tenor; and Ronconi, a leading baritone. Their joint appearance suggests a celebration of operatic talent, possibly emphasizing the harmonious blend of vocal ranges implied by the term “ternario.”
Technique & Style
Executed as a print, the image employs line work and tonal shading typical of the period’s portraiture. While specific methods (etching, lithography, etc.) are not detailed, the treatment aligns with the graphic conventions seen in contemporary works by artists such as Francesco Maggi, whose prints similarly balance detail with compositional clarity.
History & Provenance
The piece is listed as part of the Harry Beard Collection, a private assemblage known for gathering 19th‑century theatrical imagery. Its inclusion indicates the collector’s interest in documenting prominent opera figures, though the acquisition path and exhibition history are not recorded in the available data.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
F. Maggi’s tiny prints feel like snapshots of 19th-century streets, some playful, some sharp-eyed. They’re collected in worn little albums, each page a world in miniature. One shows a bearded man selling ribbons at a…
![H Beard Print Collection, by Ras. [?] Fidanza](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/ras-fidanza--h-beard-print-collection--16255d31138ee4fe-w320.webp)
