Title: |
The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, America, A.D. 1620 |
Engraver: |
McRae, John C. (New York, Active, 1845 - 1870) |
Artist: |
Lucy, Charles (Hereford, England,1814 - 1873) |
Date: |
c. 1850 |
Publisher: |
Caldwell & Company, New York |
Medium: |
Original Mixed Method Engraving |
Note: |
John C. McRae 'John McRae': Employed by New York publishers,
John McRae specialized in engraving portraits and historical scenes from
approximately 1845 to 1870. In the latter category, he concentrated primarily
upon scenes from early American history and he produced large works of
art depicting the marriage of Pochantas, the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers,
episodes from the life of George Washington and various battles of the
Revolutionary War. |
|
John C. McRae was one of the first American artists to utilize
the mixed method technique. In "The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers", for
example, the foreground figures are delineated by engraving while the
background consists largely of mezzotint tones. |
|
Charles Lucy: An English painter of historical
subjects and portraits, Charles Lucy studied under Paul Delaroche at
the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, and at the Royal Academy Schools. He
lived and worked in the Barbizon region of France for a period of sixteen
years and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1838 to 1873. A number
of his portraits are now housed in the collection of the Victoria and
Albert Museum. |
|
In his historical paintings, Charles Lucy produced a number
of works detailing events in Puritan and Pilgrim history. Many of these
works were purchased by public institutions in the United States. "The
Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers" is in the collection of the National Heritage
Museum, Lexington, Massachusetts. |
|
The Victorian Mixed Method Engraving:
Perhaps the most technically demanding form of original printmaking in
the history of art, the Victorian mixed method engraving reached its
pinnacle of virtuosity in the latter nineteenth century. During this
time large engravings were created to hang in Victorian homes. Highly
skilled engravers would often devote more than a full year’s labor
to one of these large works of art, often combining mezzotinting, aquatint,
stippling, engraving and etching on the same plate. Such is the case
with this fine impression of "The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers" which
combines engraving with mezzotinting. No other form of intensive craftsmanship
could produce such an outstanding variety of shades and tones as the
mixed method engraving. |
|
These large engravings became the driving force of the
Victorian art world. In fact, all the famous artists in England and America
devoted their energies to the lucrative engraving market. Painters of international
stature, such as George Henry Boughton (1883-1905), Sir John Everett Millais (1829-1896), Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-1873), Sir Frederic Leighton, 1st Baron Leighton (1830-1896), John George Brown (1831-1913) and Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema (1836-1912) made their fortunes more by selling engraving
rights to the publishers than by the actual sales of their paintings. This large Victorian engraving entitled, The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, America, A.D. 1620 is an original mixed method engraving. |
|
These large Victorian era engravings are now very scarce.
Nineteenth century framers had no knowledge of conservation methods and
thus the majority of these valuable works of art have simply disappeared
or have been unalterably stained and marred in their acidic matting and
frames. |
Size: |
24 1/2 x 31 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.) |
|
UnMatted |
Condition: |
Printed on mid nineteenth century wove paper and with
large margins as published in New York around 1850. Containing several
marginal tears (well removed from the actual engraving) and some light
foxing. As well, there is some wood staining on the verso side of the
engraving from a nineteenth century framing effort. Else a strongly printed,
early impression and in good condition throughout. "The Landing of the
Pilgrim Fathers" represents both a large and scarce original example of
early nineteenth century American engraving. |
Subject: |
John C. McRae, John McRae, Charles Lucy, "The Landing of
the Pilgrim Fathers," original mixed-method engraving, American historical
scenes, Provincetown harbor, Mayflower, Plymouth Colony, National Heritage
Museum, Lexington, Massachusetts, early nineteenth century American engraving. |
Price: |
Sold - The price is no longer available. |
Important Information: |
The artist biographies, research and or information pertaining to all the original works of art posted on our pages has been written and designed by Greg & Connie Peters exclusively for our site, (www.artoftheprint.com). Please visit us regularly to view the latest artworks offered for sale. We will soon be posting an update of our most recent research and include the biographical and historical information pertaining to our next collection of original works of art created by artists throughout the centuries. We hope you found the information you were looking for and that it has been beneficial.
Our Gallery, (Art of the Print / www.artoftheprint.com) guarantees the authenticity of every work of art we sell 100%. Full documentation and certification is provided. We offer a wide selection of international fine art dating from the early Renaissance to the contemporary art period. |