Joseph Clark was born in 1834, near Dorchester.  At the age of eighteen he came up to London, and in the course of two years obtained admission to the British Royal Academy schools.  His first exhibited picture, “The Dead Rabbit,” appeared at the British institution in 1857.  It evidenced at once the class of subject he had determined to adopt, while the excellent manner in which it was treated showed no less forcibly his careful training.

The “Return of the Runaway,” exhibited at the British Institution in 1862, is undoubtedly one of the best works he has painted.  When English boys leave their homes clandestinely it is to get to sea; and often one or two voyages curb their wandering spirits.  But this “runaway” has evidently been absent for years, and has grown into manhood, so that when he again seeks the parental roof he is a stranger to the old folk.  The expression of doubt on the father’s face, as the seaman declares his relationship, is capitally rendered, while the mother fixes her eyes on him with a kind of half-recognition, as if to trace out some line or mark that would set all uncertainty at rest.  The full-rigged ship on the mantel-shelf was doubtless the handiwork of the boy before he left home.  The picture, like all Mr. Clark does, is very carefully painted in all its details.  The name of the engraver certifies to the correctness of the plate.  There is also a wood engraving by Mr. Butterworth and Heath, in which the sailor has more beard and whiskers, looking considerably older than in the present print.

STEEL ENGRAVING – “RETURN OF THE RUNAWAY” from the painting by Joseph Clark, engraved by Lumb Stocks, printed in 1883.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 7 1/8” x 9 1/2”, 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.