STEEL ENGRAVING – “HARVEST-TIME IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS” from the painting by Sir Edwin Landseer and Sir Augustus Wall Callcott, engraved by C. G. Lewis, published in 1876.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The actual engraving measures 6 3/4” x 10”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

Anyone acquainted with the picture “Harvest in the Highlands”, the joint production of Sir E. Landseer and Sir A.W. Callcott, and exhibited at the British Academy in 1833, will be reminded of it by the work here engraved, which, in all probability, formed the original idea of the principal group in the larger painting, where the landscape is by Callcott and the figures by Landseer.  The construction of the group in both pictures is very similar, but the component parts differ to some extent: the cart and horse, with the colt by the side of the latter, are identical in both; but in the finished picture the cart has no one seated in it, but is laden with corn, while the sketch shows the outline of a female figure.  But the greatest difference is seen in the figures and animals immediately in front of the cart; and here, we venture to assert, the group in the sketch has the advantage in sweetness of sentiment, the young woman diligently plying her distaff, while the man, holding under his arm a quantity of newly-reaped corn, bends over her in conversation, the goats and the kids lying lovingly at the feet of the woman, and the calf standing near by, constitute as pretty and picturesque a group of its kind as can be well conceived.  In the large picture some of these objects are introduced; for example, there is the young female, but she is standing with her side towards the spectator, holding a sheaf of corn under her right arm, while conversing with a group of children seated in front of her.  The calf seen in the sketch is also there, but at some distance to the right of the group, in front of which lies a dog.  The subject here engraved is, as already remarked, far more interesting than its assumed counterpart, excellent as the latter undoubtedly is.

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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