STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE BAY OF NAPLES: EARLY MORNING” from the painting by W. Callow, engraved by R. Wallis, printed in 1883.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 6 ¾” x 10 ¼”, and is matted to 12” x 16” for easy framing.           

       Naples is a very finely situated town, washed by the dark blue waters of a noble bay, and with its environs presents just such features of picturesque composition as an artist likes to have before him.  From whichever side the view is taken, whether from the east or west, the high ground of Capo di Monte at the back of the city, or the surface of the bay at its feet, he is certain to find subject matter for his pencil of the most delightful character.  So grand is the view that it is possible not to miss what for the eye constitutes one of the greatest charms in Nature, the rich and clustering foliage of extensive woodlands.

    Mr. Callow’s picture was purchased from the London Gallery of the Water-Color Society by the Queen of England, on the occasion of her private visit in 1852, and was placed in the gallery at Osborne.  It represents a distant view of the City and Bay of Naples, from the western heights, and onwards over the wide level plain that lies between the city and Vesuvius, distinguished by the column of smoke rising from the peak.  The treatment of the picture indicates early morning, the atmosphere is cool and clear, every object is distinctly visible through its transparency; the bay, calm and unruffled, reflects the soft blue of the sky, except when the rising sun throws a long pallid light on its surface.  The foreground of the composition is occupied by one of those “cabin-roofs glowing with crimson flowers,” to which the rays of the morning sun give increased brilliance.  The lofty tree to the left, satisfy the eye of an American accustomed to the majestic oak and noble elm of his own country, gives importance to the composition, and assists in throwing back the middle and extreme distances.

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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