This item is a steel engraving from the etching by M. Meissonier called “THE ARTIST.”  It was engraved by the artist and published in 1877.  The engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 7” x 4 5/8”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

         M. Meissonier has dared to meet the old Dutch artists, Metzu, Mieris, Gerard Dow, Netscher, and others, on their own ground, and he has not only raised himself to a level with them, but, in some respects, surpassed them in vigor of handling and dramatic expression, combined with the utmost delicacy of execution. His textures are the perfection of truthful imitation. He finds his subjects in the military guardhouse, on the bowling green, in the armory, in the library of the students, the atelier of the artists, or the gallery of the picture-collector; and here the keenness of his observation and the sharpness and brilliancy of his execution are manifested in the highest degree. It may be remarked, too, that he always, or generally, goes back to a past generation for his models; the somber, unpicturesque male attire of the present day has no attraction for his brilliant pencil; the costumes of Louis XV, or those of the latter half of the 18th century, are what he delights to show. The ‘Artist’ presented in the engraving was never seen “in the flesh” by the oldest man or woman living: that broad-lapelled coat, that bagged cue, the knee-breeches, and the buckle-shoes, belong to another era of time. Seated on a low and old-fashioned kind of stool, his sketching-frame resting of his knees, he is making with a porte-crayon an outline in chalk of the picture on the easel. The apartment, if intended for a painter’s studio, is very scantily supplied with the garniture one expects to find in such a place - usually a sort of museum of artist’s properties.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Antique prints, engravings, and lithographs are printing processes, which use steel, copper, stone or wood blocks or plates to produce a picture on paper.

Most antique prints and engravings, which are seen on the internet today, are bookplates.  Because they are pages from a book, there are multiple copies in existence.  This does not, however, mean that they are "reproductions" that have been printed recently.  Because they were, at some point, part of books, some have been preserved in excellent condition, while others show signs of age, as yellow spots or darkness on the edge of the page from being handled.

Engravings, and lithographs are high quality pieces of art, as it took a highly trained artist many hours of work to produce one.  Although there may be multiple copies still in existence, the date of the item should be stated, thus giving the buyer an idea of its age.

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