Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Miss Langham. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The print is titled H Beard Print Collection, created by Miss Langham on 1st February 1790.
It's a print of Mrs Siddons in the title role of Jane Shore, published in London by S. Watts. This print is part of the Romanticism movement, which was known for emphasizing emotion and imagination.
You can learn more about this style by exploring the movement: Romanticism.
Overview
The work is a printed portrait depicting the celebrated actress Sarah Siddons in her celebrated portrayal of the historical figure Jane Shore.
The work is a printed portrait depicting the celebrated actress Sarah Siddons in her celebrated portrayal of the historical figure Jane Shore. Produced in London and issued by the publisher S. Watts, the image forms part of a series identified as the H Beard Print Collection. The print bears the date 1 February 1790 and is attributed to a Miss Langham, whose role in its creation is recorded alongside the publisher.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures Siddons in costume as Jane Shore, the 15th‑century mistress of King Edward IV whose life story was a popular subject for theatrical and visual treatment in the eighteenth century. By presenting the actress in this role, the print underscores the emotional intensity and moral complexity associated with the character, aligning with contemporary tastes for dramatic, sentiment‑laden narratives.
Technique & Style
Executed as a print, the image employs line work and shading characteristic of late‑Georgian engraving, allowing for fine detail in facial expression and costume. The aesthetic aligns with the Romantic movement’s emphasis on heightened feeling and imaginative representation, using dramatic contrast and expressive pose to convey the inner turmoil of the heroine.
History & Provenance
Issued by the London firm S. Watts, a notable publisher of theatrical prints, the piece entered the H Beard Print Collection, a compilation assembled in the early 1790s. While the collector’s identity remains obscure, the inclusion of Miss Langham’s name suggests her involvement either as an artist or as a patron overseeing the production of the series.
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Artist & collection
Artist
This printmaker worked in late-18th-century London. One surviving sheet shows the city’s calendar customs, February 1st, 1790, captured in a small copperplate engraving. The print records a moment under a low sky, where…
