STEEL ENGRAVING – “VENUS” from the original sculpture by John Gibson, engraved by W. Roffe, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 7 ½” x 2 ¾”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

     It was been said that during the early stages of Greek art, Venus was regarded as a goddess of fecundity and marriage, and that it was not until the time of Praxiteles that she was represented as the type and perfection of female beauty. Henceforth the other attributes of the deity ceased to be recognized, and she appeared only in the character of the goddess of beauty.  Mr. Gibson has strictly followed the Greek model in his Venus.  The figure is exquisitely graceful in its attitude, while its beauty is of a purely sensuous type.  He was also one of the first among modern sculptors to follow the example of the ancients in coloring his figure.  It is believed to many eminent authorities that it was the almost universal practice of the ancients to color their statues after Nature.  In Mr. Gibson’s Venus, the hair is gilded, as also are the earrings and bracelet, the face, eyes, and remaining portions of the body are tinted.  It was exhibited at the International Exhibition in London in 1862, and its appearance evoked a warm controversy in art circles, upon the property of applying color to statuary.  Its extraordinary beauty, however, was abundantly acknowledged, and it is probable that no other object in the immense collection received so much attention from visitors.  The work is unquestionably Gibson’s masterpiece, and it would be scarcely overestimating its merit to say that it is the finest work yet produced by a British sculptor.

     The possibilities of sculpture are limited compared with those of painting, and to produce a figure which should be the perfection of grace and beauty, and the same time reflect modern society, would be impossible.  The Greek sculptors learned from Nature the secret of perfect form, and those who strive to make the same discovery must tread in the footsteps of their classic leaders.  To the charge that Gibson wasted his energies in following antique models instead of striking out for himself a new path, it might be answered that he sought perfection, and found it idealized in Greek art.

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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