Artwork
Miss Lacy as Annabel in Julian
Miss Lacy as Annabel in Julian is a print by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This early nineteenth‑century print portrays the actress Maria Lacy in costume as Annabel from the play Julian.
About this work
This print shows a woman in a long, flowing dress holding a fan. Her hair is piled high and she looks off to the side with a calm expression.
The print is from 1824 and shows Miss Maria Lacy dressed as the character Annabel from a play. It was made in London and later collected by Harry Beard.
Look for more prints like this at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This early nineteenth‑century print portrays the actress Maria Lacy in costume as Annabel from the play Julian. Executed in London around 1824, the image captures Lacy in a flowing gown, a fan in hand, and her hair styled in an elevated arrangement, her gaze directed slightly away with a composed expression.
Subject & Meaning
The work records a theatrical moment, presenting Lacy embodying the character Annabel, a role that would have been familiar to contemporary audiences. By depicting the actress in costume, the print serves both as a portrait and as a visual advertisement of the performance, highlighting the fashion and demeanor associated with the role.
Technique & Style
Created as a print, the image relies on line work and shading to render the delicate folds of the dress and the texture of the fan. The composition emphasizes the verticality of Lacy’s hair and the elegance of her posture, employing a restrained palette typical of London printmaking in the 1820s.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in London by the publisher Mitford and later entered the collection of Harry Beard, a noted collector of theatrical ephemera. Its survival in the Beard collection underscores the historical interest in stage portraiture and the preservation of early nineteenth‑century performance culture.
Artist & collection
