Not currently on display at the V&A

H Beard Print Collection

Print
ca. late eighteenth century (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Famous Dutch Woman, Harry Beard Collection.

'A spectator's view of rope dancing is provided by a racy description of Bartholomew Fair, written by Ned Ward in 1699. Ward was deeply moved by a German girl who danced on the rope, playing with her feet as if assisted with the wings of Mercury; the proportions of her limbs and vivacity of her movements inspired him to think ''that if she be but as nimble between the sheets as she is upon a rope, she must needs be one of the best bed-fellows in England''. This may be the performer usually known as ''the famous Dutch Woman'' - the corruption of deutsch to Dutch was not uncommon'. (George Speaight, A History of the Circus (London: Tantivy Press, 1980), pp.18-19)


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleH Beard Print Collection (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Engraving
Brief description
The Famous Dutch Woman, Harry Beard Collection
Physical description
Engraving of The Famous Dutch Woman.
Dimensions
  • Print size height: 22cm
  • Print size width: 12cm
  • Total including mount height: 31.5cm
  • Total including mount width: 22.6cm
Credit line
Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard
Summary
The Famous Dutch Woman, Harry Beard Collection.

'A spectator's view of rope dancing is provided by a racy description of Bartholomew Fair, written by Ned Ward in 1699. Ward was deeply moved by a German girl who danced on the rope, playing with her feet as if assisted with the wings of Mercury; the proportions of her limbs and vivacity of her movements inspired him to think ''that if she be but as nimble between the sheets as she is upon a rope, she must needs be one of the best bed-fellows in England''. This may be the performer usually known as ''the famous Dutch Woman'' - the corruption of deutsch to Dutch was not uncommon'. (George Speaight, A History of the Circus (London: Tantivy Press, 1980), pp.18-19)
Associated objects
Other number
F.49-17 - H Beard collection numbering
Collection
Accession number
S.930-2009

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Record createdJanuary 19, 2009
Record URL
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