STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE LIFE OF BUCKINGHAM” from the original painting by Augustus Leopold Egg, engraved by W. Greatbach, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.   The engraving measures 7” x 9 3/8”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

      The Duke of Buckingham, who forms the central figure in this composition, was a son of the former Duke, who, in the reign of Charles I., was stabbed by John Felton at Portsmouth.  Both father and son were the favorites of kings, and both were cordially hated by the English people.  The second Duke inherited at the vices, but none of the ability, of his father, and, except during the time he was a refuge on the Continent, - while Cromwell and his Ironsides ruled England, - his useless life was spent in a continual round of the most vicious dissipation.  He was a great favorite of Charles II, misnamed “the merry monarch,” and used his influence in the most corrupt manner.  He took some part in politics, but always with the object of profiting himself, and, like his royal master, he did not hesitate to accept a subsidy from the French King, as the price of his disloyalty to his country.   The condition of England at the time was most deplorable.  Trade languished; the national honor became a by-word among the Continental nations, who had until recently trembled at the name of Cromwell, while Charles and his debauched favorites continued to make merry at Whitehall, heedless of the terrible retribution that had been lately meted out to the former king.

      The profligate Buckingham is here represented engaged in one of his midnight orgies.  The swarthy, ill-favored man beside him is King Charles II, while the women of the party are possibly the Duchess of Portsmouth, Lady Castlemaine, Mrs. Waters, Mistress Davies the actress, and Nell Gwynne.  It appears that Buckingham is the host of the evening, and that his health has just been proposed; the male part of the company, not excepting the King, having risen to pledge their friend’s health.  The subject gives a correct idea of the times, and of how the hereditary legislators of England spent their leisure.  The arrangement of the picture is very effective, and the costumes are carefully accurate, while the faces of the different actors, are probably portraits copied from those by Sir Peter Lely.

      Augustus Leopold Eggs was born in London in 1816, and having considerable taste for drawing, was admitted as a student of the British Royal Academy in 1835.  His first picture was exhibited in 1837, and for twenty-five years he continued to be a regular exhibitor.  He has been classed as a “subject painter,” but from the nature of many of his works, he might with equal propriety be classed among historical painters. He was never a robust man, and a cold, resulting from imprudent exposure, caused his death early in 1863.  His election as associate member of the British Royal Academy took place in 1848, and he was elected to full membership in 1860.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Antique prints, etchings, 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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