The career of Henry Peyrounet Briggs supplies an example of the evils caused by too great a demand for portraits.  We read again and again of the highest talents almost prostituted to this kind of work; artists, like other men, must live, and, like other men, do not despise affluence and position.  Many excellent historical pieces lay for years in Briggs’ studio: it was only now and then a purchaser could be found for them; so it is small wonder that he took to portrait painting, in which he soon rose into high repute, so that many of the most distinguished public and literary characters sat for him.

“The first Interview between the Spaniards and Peruvians” is taken from Robertson’s History of America: - “As the Inca drew near, Father Vincent Valverde, chaplain to the expedition, explained, in long discourse, the doctrine of the Catholic faith, exhorting the Inca to acknowledge the supreme jurisdiction of the Pope, and to submit to the King of Castile as his lawful sovereign, promising him protection if he complied, but if he refused, denouncing war and vengeance in his master’s name.”  The conference, we are told, ended in a general massacre of the Peruvians, and the imprisonment of the Inca.  The picture, notwithstanding a certain theatrical effect with which the group is composed, is finely conceived, and very powerfully colored; the notorious Valverde, the simple-minded Inca Atahualpa and his young wife, with the other personages introduced, are each and all well studied figures, whose parts in the scene are strikingly portrayed.  It is, undoubtedly, one of the artist’s best works, and this is saying much for it; yet it passed through the exhibition at the London Royal Academy without finding a purchaser; it was bought by Mr. Vernon after the close of the season for a very considerable sum. 

STEEL ENGRAVING – “SPANIARDS AND PERUVIANS” from the painting by Henry Peyrounet Briggs, engraved by W. Greatbach, printed in 1883.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 7 1/4” 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.