STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE CORN-FIELD” from the original painting by John Constable, engraved by C. Cousen, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 9 ¾” x 8”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing. 

      “The Corn-field”, painted in 1726, and exhibited the year following at the British Institution, was a present from the friends of the painter to the British National Collection.  Before his pictures were dispersed by action, at his death, it was suggested that one of the best, which he had left unsold should be purchased by subscription and presented to the British Nation.  It was for some time a matter of discussion whether this work or “Salisbury, from the Meadows,” should be selected: ultimately the choice fell upon “The Corn-field,” as being a picture, which to the eye of the public, would be more acceptable.  The picture represents one of the rustic scenes, which Constable loved to paint.  It is supposed to be a view near Dedham, a village in the Country of Essex, the neighborhood of which was a favorite haunt of the artist.  The “Corn-field” or rather, wheat-field is somewhat of a misnomer, as very little of it is shown in the composition.  A pleasant shady lane, such as may be found in almost any rural district in England, shut in by lofty hedges and thickly leaved trees, is the central object in the picture.  The dusty, ill-made roads in the country give us no adequate idea of the beauty of these green lanes in England, - the exquisite loveliness of which needs the pen of an Irving to describe.  The forms of the trees, and the wild luxuriance of the hedgerows are given in the picture with rare fidelity to Nature, while the heavy masses of cloud above are truly significant of the English climate.

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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