STEEL ENGRAVING – “DRY READING” from the original painting by Andrew Geddes, engraved by W. Greatbach, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 7” x 9 ½”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

     Andrew Geddes was in the habit of introducing into his pictures the portraits of his friends, and in this way he introduced in the most famous of his historical works, “The Finding of the Scottish Regalia,” portraits of Sir Walter Scott and other distinguished men of his native country.  In like manner, although “Dry Reading” is a fancy composition, the figures are said to be portraits of Terry, the celebrated actor, and his wife.  It has been conjectured from sundry indications in the style, that the work was painted after Gedde’s return from the Continent, where he spent much time during his later years in studying and copying the works in Italy, Germany and France.  The minute care bestowed upon the accessories would appear to indicate Dutch influence, but the treatment of the figures differs materially from the characteristic of that school.  The meaning of the artist is obvious.  The lady has been reading from some “volume of forgotten lore,” and the effect upon her companion has been to send him off into a comfortable doze.  The bright vivacious face of the lady is a relief to the dim drowsiness of the apartment, and to the somber repose of its other occupant.

    Andrew Geddes was born in England, Scotland, about the year 1780.  His father was a man of taste and a well-to-do citizen, but seems to have opposed his son’s predilections for art, for it was not until after his death that Geddes embraced the profession in which he was destined to become famous.  He was admitted as a student at the British Royal Academy in 1807, and after several years returned to Edinburgh, where until 1814 he practiced his profession as a portrait painter.  He spent much time on the Continent, and his judgment was said to have been relied upon concerning the value and authenticity of pictures by the old master.  His copies of the Italian painters were highly esteemed, and sold for very large prices.  He was elected by an associate of the British Royal Academy in 1832, and died in London, of consumption, in 1844.

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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