STEEL ENGRAVING – “PORTSMOUTH HARBOR” from the original painting by Clarkson Stanfield, engraved by R. Brandard, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 6 ½” x 9 7/8”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

     Portsmouth, the great naval seaport of England, wears a different aspect, to that which it presented at the time Stanfield painted this picture.  Stonewalls have given place to grass-covered earth-works, defended by iron monsters, beside which the guns of fifty years ago are as pigmies.  The stately three-deckers, with tier upon tier of guns, have gone forever, save a few remaining veterans awaiting an order from the Admiralty authorities in London to be broken up.  One of their ironclad successors, armed with the ponderous artillery of today, might have sunk the fleets of Nelson and Collingwood without receiving a scratch in return.  Still there are many things about the dock-yards of Portsmouth to remind the visitor of the past, not the least interesting of which is Nelson’s old flag-ship the Victory, with an engraved plate on the deck marking, the spot where that hero received his death-wound, in the Bay of Trafalgar.  Possibly the old line-of-battle-ship, shown by the artist in the background, may represent that famous vessel.

     In the view presented, the buildings in Portsmouth are seen above the ramparts and forts, which guarded the approach from the landside.  On the other side of the harbor are the forts defending Gosport, while the arm of the sea, which separates the two towns affords a safe anchorage to ships of war of all sizes.  A vessel – the bluff bows of which would seem strange beside the clipper-built ships of the present day – is just leaving the harbor.  She is setting her maintop-gallant sail, and from the way it is flapping about it would seem to be as much canvas as the wind will permit to be carried, although it appears as if the gaskets were being cast off the foretop-gallant sail also.  The sea, too, is somewhat rough, and the dark clouds over to windward indicate that a squall is at hand, while the misty atmosphere through which the spectator appears to be looking, will be recognized as exceedingly natural by all who have seen the sea in squally weather.

     The picture is a good example both of the artist’s style, and of his favorites class of subjects.  Stanfield entertained a passionate love for all things connected with the sea, and with ships.  His early training as a sailor was of immense service to him during his career as an artist, enabling him to deal with the smallest detail of his composition not only with the eye of a skilful artist, but also with the accurate fidelity of a practiced seaman.

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.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING - First Class Mail $4.50