STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE JUSTICE OF THE KING” from the original painting by John Faed, engraved by C.H. Jeens, published in 1878.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 7 1/8” x 9 7/8”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

      Every country has traditions and legends, which, while they contain little historic truth, have become so woven into its annals that it becomes difficult for the student of history to separate fact from fiction.  Scotland is particularly rich in such traditions, and it is natural that a Scottish painter, as Mr. Faed is, should choose a subject from the abundant supply to be found in the annals of his native land.  The story he has illustrated is from the history of one of the early King Jameses.  Two of the rude nobles of the period having had a dispute, one of them struck his opponent in the presence of the monarch, - an offense punishable, in those comparatively barbarous times, by mutilation.  The delinquent was, therefore, condemned to lose his hand on the spot, and by the arm of the man who had received the insult.  The sentence was passed by the King, who offered his own sword as the weapon with which to execute it; but at the intercession of the Queen, the ladies of her court, and the culprit’s friends, his crime was pardoned.

      The story is of that dramatic character which is well adapted for pictorial representation, and Mr. Faed has seized most telling point of it.  Seated at the table, in a fearless attitude, is the delinquent, with his right arm bared and stretched out to receive the punishment awarded.  Opposite him, stands the King, who has unsheathed his sword, and presents it to the executioner.  The latter hesitates to take it, for his attention is arrested by the kneeling group of ladies interceding for the culprit; while a mitred prelate of the Church lays his hands on the monarch’s shoulder and arm to support the appeal, in which he is joined by a venerable courtier on the opposite side of the table.  The other figures are guards and retainers of the court, among whom is a young harper; all of them evincing the deep interest they feel in the proceedings.

      These materials are well put together, and the action throughout is maintained with spirit. Several of the heads are remarkable for powerful and appropriate expression.  The paneled walls of the apartment, the richly carved chimney-piece, the massive furniture, and other accessories, are in keeping with the supposed date of the event, and heighten the general effect of the scene.

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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