Not currently on display at the V&A

H Beard Print Collection

Lithograph
1842 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Art Union of London was a membership society established in 1836 'to aid in extending the Love of the Arts of Design within the United Kingdom, and to give Encouragement to Artists, beyond that afforded by the patronage of individuals.' Anyone could join by paying the annual subscription of one guinea and members had the opportunity to win contemporary art works selected from one of the London exhibitions of the year, or bronzes, medals, porcelain statuettes and prints. The drawing of the prizes took place each April at one of the London theatres. This print shows the distribution of prizes at Drury Lane in 1842. According to The Art Union: Monthly Journal of the Fine Arts (Vol.4, July 1842): 'It represents the moment of declaring the name of the £100 prize-holder, and gives a most vivid notion of the universal excitement which prevailed through the large multitude there assembled.'


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleH Beard Print Collection (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph on paper
Brief description
The Distribution of the Art Union Prizes at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, lithograph printed by M & N Hanhart, 1842. Harry Beard Collection
Physical description
Lithograph showing the auditorium of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. A large audience are crowded into the stalls, pit and boxes. On stage groups of men sit behind a row of tables and standing figures collect their prizes.
Dimensions
  • Height: 42cm
  • Width: 54cm
Credit line
Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard
Summary
The Art Union of London was a membership society established in 1836 'to aid in extending the Love of the Arts of Design within the United Kingdom, and to give Encouragement to Artists, beyond that afforded by the patronage of individuals.' Anyone could join by paying the annual subscription of one guinea and members had the opportunity to win contemporary art works selected from one of the London exhibitions of the year, or bronzes, medals, porcelain statuettes and prints. The drawing of the prizes took place each April at one of the London theatres. This print shows the distribution of prizes at Drury Lane in 1842. According to The Art Union: Monthly Journal of the Fine Arts (Vol.4, July 1842): 'It represents the moment of declaring the name of the £100 prize-holder, and gives a most vivid notion of the universal excitement which prevailed through the large multitude there assembled.'
Other number
F.93-36 - H Beard collection numbering
Collection
Accession number
S.41-2008

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2008
Record URL
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