Description: THE JEW'S HARP Artist: Sir David Wilkie ____________ Engraver: E. Smith Note: the title in the table above is printed below the engraving CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE OLD WORLD VIEWS LIKE THIS ONE!! AN ANTIQUE STEEL ENGRAVING MADE IN THE LATE 1870s!! FROM THE ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: Sir David Wilkie is by very general consent one of the two or three painters at the head of the English school. He came before the world as a genius, and as such he maintained his position through a long and industrious career. A versatile workman, although peculiarly at home with such a subject as we have here engraved, he also succeeded in historical pieces, in portraits, and in scenes of foreign life gathered during his travels in Spain, Italy and the East. "The Preaching of John Knox" is his chef d'oeuvre in history; and the world is already familiar with it through the masterly envraving of Doo. No word of praise from us can render sufficient justice to the wonderful power displayed in his work; which, together with "the Chelsea Pensioners", sufficiently indicates that Wilkie could paint a grand picture with concentrated interest, although he delighted so much in compostiions having various points of attraction. In reference to "the Jew's Harp", we cannot do better than quote observations of Allen Cunningham, in his Memoir of Sir David Wilkie, they are as follows: "The Jew's Harp" is one of those happy works which, without calling forth the highest powers of the painter, gather as much fame as compositions of higher reach. The story is told in three words. A boy and girl return from a fair with a Jew's Harp, on which they have laid out their pence, instead of gilt gingerbread; and their father tries the merit of the purchase, while they look and listen delighted. The dog, which accompanied them to the market, lies at their feet, weary more with its own gambols than the length of the journey, while the sweet sounds which the old man seems extracting from the little instrument satisfies the whole party of the excellence of the purchase. Nor has the girl forgotten to buy a ribband, which she has already round her neck, while the peacock feather is her slouched has speaks of green fields and country air. The accessories of this pretty picture show with what care the painter studied his interiors." PRINT DATE: This engraving was printed in the 1860s; it is not a modern reproduction in any way. PRINT SIZE: Overall print size is 9 inches by 12 inches including white borders, actual scene is 7 5/8 inches by 9 3/4 inches. PRINT CONDITION: Condition is fine. Bright and clean. Blank on reverse. SHIPPING: Buyers to pay shipping/handling, domestic orders receives priority mail, international orders receive regular mail. We pack properly to protect your item! Please note: the terms used in our auctions for engraving, heliogravure, lithograph, print, plate, photogravure etc. are ALL prints on paper, NOT blocks of steel or wood. "ENGRAVINGS", the term commonly used for these paper prints, were the most common method in the 1700s and 1800s for illustrating old books, and these paper prints or "engravings" were inserted into the book with a tissue guard frontis, usually on much thicker quality rag stock paper, although many were also printed and issued as loose stand alone prints. So this auction is for an antique paper print(s), probably from an old book, of very high quality and usually on very thick rag stock paper. EXTREMELY RARE IN THIS EXCELLENT CONDITION!
Price: 15.99 USD
Location: New Providence, New Jersey
End Time: 2025-01-06T01:25:25.000Z
Shipping Cost: 7.95 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Original/Reproduction: Original Print
Print Type: Engraving
Date of Creation: 1800-1899
Material: Engraving
Type: Print
