STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE COLUMNS OF ST. MARK, VENICE” from the painting by R.P. Bonington, engraved by J.B. Allen, printed in 1886.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 9 ¼” x 7 ½”, and is matted to 12” x 16” for easy framing.

      Prominent in the list of young artists who have been cut off in the very act of rising to highest honors stands the name of Bonington.  His childish impulses towards art have been chronicled in his family.  Wilhelm Meister like, he fitted up from his own resources a large apartment as a theater; painted all the scenes; was “acting manager;” and played the principal parts to the entire satisfaction of a crowded house.    

     After a time the senior Mr. Bonington was compelled, in consequence of his extreme political views, to retire from England to France, and his son became a student first at the Louvre, and then at the Royal Institute.  It was not long before his works gained him an honorable name in Paris, but he was quite unknown in England until 1826, when two paintings of his were exhibited at the British Institution, where they attracted much attention.  One of these was the “Columns of St. Mark” a charming little work, sketchy, but vigorously painted, and full of light; the handling and general treatment are such as would be effected only by one who had an intuitive perception of his own genius, and relied solely on that for his success.  It was purchased by Mr. Vernon, and for the Vernon Gallery.

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.

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