STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE NEW CURATE” from the original painting by D.W. Wynfield, engraved by H. Bourne, published in 1880.  This engraving is in excellent condition.  The picture measures 6 ½” x 10 3/8”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

     The original of this attractive picture was at the exhibition of the London Royal Academy in 1876. The advent of a “new curate” in an English country village is an event of no small importance, and the half-inquiring, half-roguish expression of his fair young parishioners suggests the idea that they are wondering whether to take him as a friend or foe at their lawn-tennis tournament. But we venture to think the owner of that kindly, truthful face will make scant leisure from the higher duties with which he is put in trust for pastimes of the kind, agreeable though it would be in the company of such winsome lassies. A less honest man than the artist has depicted the “new curate” to the might certainly feel abashed and the very penetrating glances of this sweet-looking matron and her bright-eyed daughters, the very “image” of their mother; but he bears the ordeal unflinchingly, and in all probability will often be a welcome guest at four-o’clock tea with this trio of fair woman. The chief characteristic of the picture are truthfulness and simplicity; nothing is either exaggerated or out of harmony. Mr. Wynfield has wisely adhered closely to his subject, and interest is in no way divided, the accessories being as unobtrusive and free from extravagance as the whole subject. A more pleasant and homelike picture of English country life could not readily be seen. Mr. Wynfield’s well-earned reputation as a healthy realistic painter is thoroughly sustained.

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, lithographs, ect., 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 in the auction, thus giving the buyer an idea of its age.

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