STEEL ENGRAVING – “FEEDING THE SACRED IBIS IN THE HALLS OF KARNAC” from the original painting by E.J. Poynter, engraved by F. Joubert, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 9 ¾” x 7 1/8”, and is mated to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

     If complaints are occasionally made, says a London critic, of monotony in the subject-matter of pictures exhibited at the British Royal Academy and other public exhibitions, evidenced in works which may be good in themselves and are wearisome only by reason of repetition, it must also be admitted that we occasionally are relieved by the appearance of a canvas which opens up to the mind some new idea, and cause it to travel in an unexpected and novel direction.  Within the last few years the class of painters to whom we are thus indebted has been larger on the increase, and we have now among us many who may be called archaeologists as well as artists, for their researches after novelty of subject carry them into ages long since passed away, which, with the people, their manners and customs are revivified, and stand before us in all the realities of actual existence, so far as Art can bring the dead to life again, even after the lapse of thousands of years.  Of such pictures this, by Mr. Poynter, is a beautiful and most attractive example: it reverts to the period when Thebes was in all its glory, and the mysterious rites of Egyptian worship were celebrated within the walls of the great of Karnac.  It was exhibited at the British Royal Academy in 1871.  The Ibis was held in great veneration by the ancient Egyptians, being consecrated to Thoth, who is assumed to have been the Mercury of the Greeks and Romans.  To Thoth all the science and learning of the Egyptians were attributed and the books containing this knowledge were called the Hermetic books.  Next to Osiris, Thoth is, perhaps, most commonly presented of the whole Egyptian Mythology, and he is repeatedly seen with the head of the Ibis.  The bird was esteemed so sacred that if any person voluntarily killed one he was put to death.  Mr. Poynter’s picture shows a young priestess of the temple carrying a large dish filled with small fishes, from which she supplies the birds.   The figure, though somewhat statuesque, is striking and graceful, and the birds are most picturesquely grouped.

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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