STEEL ENGRAVING – “A MOORISH CHIEF” from the painting by J. E. Millais, engraved by C. Goodeve, printed in 1883.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 9 7/8” x 6 7/8”, and is matted to 12” x 16” for easy framing.

When Mr. Millais was seventeen years of age, he won the gold medal at the London Royal Academy, his inspiration, if we may judge of his “Rape of the Sabins,” which was exhibited at the Munich International Art Exhibition, came from the work of Mr. Etty, both as to color and form.  A few years afterwards he adopted the practice of some earnest young students who made minute elaborations and detail a sine qua non in all they did, Thus sacrificing to parts that thought and consideration which should have been given to the whole, and became the acknowledged high priest of this so-called pre-Raphaelite brotherhood.  After many years of this most painstaking and laborious work, he fell under the personal influence of John Phillip, of Spain; and the first pictures which gave a suggestion of a coming change in his method was that of “The Romans leaving Britain.”  On Mr. Phillip’s death he abandoned his former manipulation, and successfully addressed himself to the broader and more vigorous practice of that great colorist and character painter.

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.