STEEL ENGRAVING – “EVANGELINE” from the original sculpture by S. F. Lynn, engraved by J. H. Baker, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 6 ¾” x 3 ¾”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

   The sculptor of this pleasing statue is a native of Ireland, and was early engaged in the study of architecture, at Belfast, under his brother, Mr. W. H. Lynn, while at the same time he attended the classes in the Belfast School of Design.  In this way a taste of modeling was fostered, which led him to think the profession of a sculptor would prove more congenial than that of an architect; an idea which received encouragement from the fact of his winning prizes offered by two of the patrons of the school, Lord Dufferin and Sir Hugh Cairns, M. P.

   The heroine of Longfellow’s poem, “Evangeline,” is both in her days of maiden happiness and when grief had driven reason from its throne, lovely enough to be embodied in the sculptor’s marble.  It is in the latter condition we see her in Mr. Lynn’s representation: --

            “Sometimes in churchyards strayed, and gazed on the crosses and tombstones,

            Sat by some nameless grave, and thought that perhaps in its bosom

            He was already at rest, and she longed to slumber beside him.”

    Seated on a dwarf footstone, she appears sadly contemplating some “nameless grave,” her hands loosely clasped, the head bowed down, her whole attitude motionless, her dress hanging carelessly, and yet not ungracefully, about the figure.  The sculptor has not misapprehended his subject, and has displayed considerable taste and feeling in the treatment of it.  The modeling of the figure, so far as this can be traced through the folds of the drapery – which, by the way, is arranged in a light, easy, and unaffected manner, shows careful study from the life.

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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