Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist C. F. Tayler. It dates from 1831 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 C. F. Tayler in January 1831.
This portrait is interesting because it depicts Miss Fanny Kemble as Portia, showing a specific character from a play. The print was published in London by F. G. Harding, which suggests it was made for a wider audience.
You can learn more about this style by looking into the movement: Romanticism.
Overview
The H Beard Print Collection contains a portrait print of Miss Fanny Kemble as Portia, created by artist C. F. Tayler in January 1831 and published by F. G. Harding in London.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Miss Fanny Kemble in the role of Portia, a character from a play, likely Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice'. This suggests the subject's association with theatrical performance and possibly the Romantic era's fascination with literature and drama.
Technique & Style
While specific technical details of the print are not provided, its creation during the Romanticism movement implies characteristics common to Romantic-era art, such as emotional depth, detailed rendering, and a focus on the expressive qualities of the subject.
History & Provenance
Published in London by F. G. Harding, the print was intended for a broad audience, indicating its commercial appeal. The artist, C. F. Tayler, and publisher aimed to reach a wide viewership with this depiction of a presumably well-known figure in the theatrical scene.
Context
Emerging in 1831, the print reflects the Victorian era's burgeoning interest in theatre and the arts. Miss Fanny Kemble's portrayal as Portia may have catered to the public's fascination with both the actress and the literary character.
Legacy
The print's lasting impact is not explicitly documented, but as part of the H Beard Print Collection, it contributes to the historical record of early 19th-century theatrical illustrations and the representation of female performers during the Romantic and early Victorian periods.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
C. F. Tayler made hand-colored prints in the early 1800s. His January 1831 print in the H Beard Collection shows a detailed scene meant to be colored by the owner. It belongs to the same tradition of popular prints…
