Who painted H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection was painted by Peeping Tom in 1809.

Where can I see H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is H Beard Print Collection?

H Beard Print Collection is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of H Beard Print Collection?

Museum-quality prints of H Beard Print Collection are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

H Beard Print Collection

Peeping Tom , 1809

H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist Peeping Tom. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This print is called H Beard Print Collection, made by Peeping Tom in 1809. It's a portrait, and that's what makes it interesting - it's a specific person, Alexander Ross, who was a barber and perfumer. He was also involved in the O.P. Riots, which gives us a glimpse into his life. You can learn more about this style by looking into Romanticism.

Overview

The work known as the H Beard Print Collection is an 1809 print produced in London by the publisher Peeking Tom. Executed as a single‑sheet portrait, the image presents Alexander Ross, identified by accompanying text as a barber, perfumer, and participant in the O.P. Riots. The piece is catalogued simply as a print, without further media specifications.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait foregrounds Alexander Ross, a tradesman whose occupations, barbering and perfuming, situated him within the everyday commercial life of early‑nineteenth‑century London. His noted involvement in the O.P. Riots, a series of civil disturbances, adds a layer of social commentary, suggesting the sitter’s connection to contemporary political unrest.

Technique & Style

Created as a printed image, the work employs the line and tonal conventions typical of early Romantic printmaking, emphasizing individual character over idealised form. The composition relies on stark contrasts and a direct gaze, hallmarks of the period’s interest in personal identity and emotional immediacy.

History & Provenance

Issued by the London firm Peeking Tom in 1809, the print was likely distributed as part of a series of portrait prints that catered to a growing market for recognizable public figures. No further ownership records are documented, and the piece remains identified by its original publisher’s imprint.

Context

The portrait emerges against the backdrop of the Romantic era, a time when artists turned toward the depiction of singular, often turbulent, individuals. Ross’s dual role as a tradesperson and a participant in civil unrest reflects the period’s fascination with the intersection of personal narrative and broader societal change.