STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE HOUSE OF MOURNING” from the painting by Carl Hoff, engraved by F.I. Meyer, published in 1880.  this engraving is in excellent condition.  The picture measures 9 1/8” x 6 ¾”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

   Among the works of Carl Hoff there are many more pretentious ones, but few more complete in every way than the one. The picture is notable in the entire absence of that gloating on the portrayal of death which was so delighted in centuries ago by the early German schools, and even in our day finds a host of exponents in the French Academy. Although death has here probably deprived the family of the bread -winner, he is evidently regarded more in his character of the friend than the avenger. Mr. Carl Hoff was born at Mannheim in 1838, and studied successively at Carlsruhe and Dusseldorf. He traveled for the purpose of study through France, Italy, and Greece. He is a member of the Academy at Rutterdam, and has obtained medals at Berlin, Vienna, and Dusseldorf. He was a pupil and adopted the style of Vautier.

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, lithographs, ect., 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 in the auction, thus giving the buyer an idea of its age.

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