This item is a steel engraving from the painting by J.D. Linton called “VOLUMNIA REPROACHING BRUTUS AND SICINIUS.”  It was engraved by J. Greatbach and published in 1877.  The engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 7 ¼” x 9 ¼”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

        In Mr. Linton’s ‘Volumnia,’ a subject taken from assumed Roman story - Niebuhr, we believe, questions the authenticity of what is told of Coriolanus - we have a theme decidedly historical, or alleged to be so, and for the sake of Shakespeare’s noble drama one is quite willing to accept it all as truth. According to his version of the story, Coriolanus, “the people’s enemy,” has just left the city, banished, or as he puts it, when addressing the mob –

                                                            “Despising,

                        For you, the city, thus I turn my back:

                        There is a world elsewhere.”

His mother Volumnia, his wife Virgilia, his friend Menenius, having, with others, taken leave of the “noble Roman” outside the gate of the city, return within its walls, and in a street near the gate the two women and their companion accidentally meet Brutus and Sicinius, the tribunes of the people, who, from jealousy of Coriolanus, have aided in stirring them up to banish him. The tribunes wished to avoid a recontre, but were not a in a position to do so, and the meeting afforded Volumnia and her daughter-in-law the opportunity of speaking their minds with far more openness, perhaps, than courtesy. Especially was the elder lady very bitter in her reproach: she says: -

                                                “‘Twas you incensed the rabble;

                        Cats! That can judge as fitly of his worth

                        As I can of those mysteries which heaven

                        Will not have earth to know.

                               Brutus. Pray, let us go.

                               Volumnia. Now, pray, sir, get you gone;

                        You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear this:

                        As far as doth the Capitol exceed

                        The meanest house in Rome, so far my son

                        (This lady’s husband here, this, do you see?)

                        Whom you have banished, does exceed you all.”

                                                                                                Coriolanus, Act iv., sc.2

        There is nothing in the composition to show a desire to go beyond the strict limits of the text: the figures are well arranged in two distinct groups, the outstretched arms of Volumnia and Brutus forming a connecting link between them. The face of the former reveals much of the fiery nature ascribed to her, while that of Virgilia combines sweetness with grief.

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.