STEEL ENGRAVING – “PAUL AND VIRGINIA” from the original sculpture by W. C. Marshall, engraved by E. Roffe, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 8 ¾” x 3 ¾”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

    Bernardin de St. Pierre’s beautiful story of Paul and Virginia is familiar to all classes of readers.  It is one of the books of our youth, which, as our judgment ripens, we never regret having read.  It is possible that we no longer find the hearty enjoyment in works of fiction we once did, but the recollections, which such books awaken, bring with them no unpleasant thoughts.  The charming group by Mr. Marshall represents the young companions as they were returning from their mission on behalf of the runaway negress.  They came to a river, which threatened to arrest their progress. The noise of the rushing waters alarmed Virginia, and she was afraid to wade through, but Paul taking her in his arms, carried her safely over.   The expression of the face in the two figures, indicate their feelings at the moment of crossing, – the timid apprehensions of the girl, and the bold confidence of her bearer.  Both figures are admirably modeled, and the unstudied freedom of their position is in complete harmony with the spirit of the story.   The technical difficulties in the way of the sculptor were considerable.  To follow the text, it was necessary to make both figures nearly of a size, and what in less skillful hands might have resulted in giving to the group an ungainly appearance, has by adroit management been turned to good account.  The work is a most beautiful specimen of modern Art; showing the utmost delicacy of conception, combined with rare skill in execution. It was exhibited at the British Royal Academy in 1845.

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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