STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE” from the original sculpture by Patrick MacDowell, engraved by W. Roffe, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 8 ¾” x 5”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

   MACDOWELL was a sculptor who successfully studied how to combine the antique and the modern.  His subjects were frequently antique in character, but infused with the spirit and animation demanded by modern taste.  The work after which “The Triumph of Love” was taken affords an example of this happy combination.  It is thoroughly antique in its character; but there is a refreshing touch of animation in the figure, which relieves them from the cold severity of antique art. The group represents a young man and a maiden, bearing aloft between them the winged god of love.  The figures are beautifully modeled, the broad massive outlines of the man supplying an admirable contrast to the rounded grace of the female, whose drapery, it will be noticed, is dexterously made to suggest the yielding undulations of the form beneath.  The god of love has become aged and cunning, and has learned the art of tipping his arrows with golden points; the work as a whole shows great merit.  The group, which was cut from a single block of marble, is regarded as one of the most famous productions of the gifted Irish sculptor.  It was completed about the year 1846, and was executed for T. Wentworth Beaumont, a member of Parliament for Northumberland, who was the friend and patron of the artist. 

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.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING - First Class Mail $4.50