Artwork
H Beard Print Collection
H Beard Print Collection is a print by the Romanticist artist W. H. Watts. It dates from 2 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This print shows an actor as Shylock from Shakespeare’s play. It’s a portrait in ink, made in 1814. The artist printed it in London, so it’s tied to that city and time.
The picture shows a famous moment when Shylock asks for his “pound of flesh.” London publishers sold prints like this to theater fans.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.
Overview
This 1814 print depicts actor Edmund Kean as Shylock in a pivotal scene from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, where the character demands his 'pound of flesh'. Created in ink, the work is a product of London's early 19th-century print culture.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a dramatic moment from Shakespeare's play, highlighting Kean's portrayal of Shylock. The scene's emphasis on Shylock's infamous demand reflects the character's complex, often controversial role in the narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed in ink, the print demonstrates a straightforward, representational approach, prioritizing clarity of the depicted scene over experimental techniques. This aligns with the functional aim of illustrating a theatrical performance for a broad audience.
History & Provenance
Published by R. Barnard in London in 1814, the print is associated with the city's thriving theatrical and print publishing sectors of the time. Its origins suggest circulation among London's theater enthusiasts.
Context
Contemporaneous with Edmund Kean's performances, the print catered to the growing demand for theatrical memorabilia among London's populace, reflecting the intersection of art, theater, and commercial publishing in early 19th-century London.
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Artist & collection
Artist
W. H. Watts made prints in early 19th-century England. One of the few works we know of is the H Beard Print Collection dated 2 May 1814. The print is part of a larger group of images preserved in that collection, but…
