STEEL ENGRAVING – “VENICE - THE ARRIVAL” from the original painting by Edward William Cooke, engraved by C. Cousen, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 6 1/8” x 11”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

        Mr. Cooke has taken for his subject the arrival at Venice of Otho I, ex-king of Greece, after his abdication, and the incident has afforded him an opportunity to give a very beautiful view of the Queen of the Adriatic.  Otho was a boy of seventeen years of age when he became ruler of the newly constituted kingdom of Greece.  The youthful monarch entered upon his regal duties in 1833, but he soon showed himself to possess neither the spirit nor the ability to cope with the difficulties of his position, and after an endless series of political intrigues, factions and disputes, a revolution broke out, and Otho was very glad to leave his kingdom to take care of itself.  He and his queen embarked on board the British war-ship “Scylla,” and arrived at Venice on the 29^th of October, 1862.

      The vessel has just come to an anchor, and is receiving the salute of another ship of war, probably Austrian, which is gaily decked out with flags for the occasion, and has manned her yards in honor of the distinguished refugees.  The water seen in the picture is that “arm” of the Adriatic running between Venice and the low shore, known as the Lido.  The latter is a spot familiar to those acquainted with the life of Lord Byron as the place where he used to take his daily rides when in Venice, and where he desired to be buried.  The building seen on it is the hospital of San Servolo - to the right.  On the left is that part of the city knows as the Ripa de Schiavoni, extending to the Giardino Publico, or public garden.  Venice is a favorite subject among British artists, the reason of which is doubtless as much due to the preferences of picture-buyers, as the splendid opportunities it affords the artist for the exercise of his skill.

      Edward William Cooke, son of an eminent engraver, was born in London in 1811.  He studied architecture for a short time, afterwards produced some book illustrations and etchings, and at length turned his attention to painting.  Coast views, Dutch scenes, and large marine views were his favorite subjects during the early part of his career; but he has since painted a large number of Venetian and Italian scenes, and views in Spain and Morocco.  He was elected an associate of the British Royal Academy in 1850, and a full member in 1863.

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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