Mr. Henry Stacy Marks, who reached the full honors of the British Royal Academy in 1879, has gained a name for his skill in pointing a lesson, or illustrating a thought, by means of a thorough interpretation of scenes in the life of the past, “My Lady’s Page In Disgrace” being one of them.  What offence the page can have committed to justify the punishment awarded is not made apparent; but it would seem from his looks that he has been imitating some of his elders by over-indulgence, and has had to pay the penalty of misdoing by compulsory rest and quietude till sober again.  In silent contemplation of the young delinquent stand the seneschal of the household, and, probably, the family chaplain; the former regarding him with an expression of pompous contempt – perhaps he has been the victim, at some time or other, of the boy’s practical jokes, and the means of subjecting him to his present punishment; the good priest, on the other hand, surveys him with pity, and will doubtless seize the opportunity of reading him a homily on his offence, though the culprit does not seem quite in the condition, or, at least, disposed, to receive the “word in season.”  In the background is a comely damsel of the household listening to the recital of the deeds from the lips of a serving-man.  Her look of mingled anger and compassion is not badly expressed.

The picture is valuable not less from the mock solemnity with which the subject is treated than it is by its thorough artistic execution; throughout it is painted with great firmness and attention to detail, and in color nothing is wanting to make it more attractive.

STEEL ENGRAVING – “MY LADY’S PAGE IN DISGRACE” from the painting by Henry Stacy Marks, engraved by F. A. Heath, printed in 1883.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 6 3/4” x 10”, and is matted to 12” x 16” for easy framing.

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.