18th Century Figurative Prints

Sujets d’histoire et de Mythologie is an etching made by the French draftsman and engraver Philippe-Louis Parizeau (Paris, 1740 – 1801), also known for realizing the first prints au ...

WILLIAM HOGRATH (1767- 1764) THE BATHOS / Tail Piece 1764 (Paulson 1989: 216 I/I Paulson 1965/70: 216 I/I) Engraving Plate 12 7/8 x 13 3/8, sheet 17 ¾ x 18 ¾ Designed & Engrav’d by Wm Hogarth at left and Published according to Act of Parliam’t March 3, 1764 at right. Good condition on thick laid paper Small bit of tape on the left & right sheet edges small stan lower sheet edge all on recto. This Hogarth’s last print is fascinating as it is prophacy about death. Various institutions have interesting commentaries - to wit: Chicago Art Institute: Hogarth created The Bathos toward the end of his life. It is considered one of the bleakest artworks of the 18th century because it depicts the Apocalypse without an afterlife. The Angel of Death even collapses in exhaustion after having destroyed the world. In his hand is an execution decree and around him lies a mass of broken objects. Princeton: Hogarth’s last print, The Bathos,….. is filled with all manner of images denoting the end of life as we know it. Entry no. 216 in Ronald Paulson’s catalogue raisonne Hogarth’s Graphic Works, 3rd revised edition says “This print is the culmination of such pessimistic images . . . . [taking] his general composition, the configuration of objects, and some of the particular items, from Dürer’s engraving, Melancholia; but he also recalls Salvator Rosa’s Democritus in Meditation (which derives from Dürer’s print) with a scroll at the bottom of the etching: ‘Democritus the mocker of all things, confounded by the ending of All Things’ (Antal, p.168).” Newfields (Indianapolis Museum of Art): Hogarth intended this engraving to serve as the tailpiece to bound volumes of his collected engravings and, appropriately, it proved to be his last engraving. Father Time has died and his last will and testament has been witnessed by the three Fates. He is surrounded by a landscape of death, decay, and ruin. Hogarth aimed this print at dealers in “dark” Old Masters paintings who promoted the idea that ruins evoked sublime feelings in viewers—a sentiment, Hogarth wrote, that was reducing the world to ruin. British Caricature...

Etching and drypoint on heavy cream laid paper, 3 3/4 x 3 1/4 inches (96 x 83 mm), narrow margins. In very good condition with some minor surface soiling. [Björklund's second state ...

The Hague: circa 1799. Engraving with burin on cream laid paper, 7 7/8 x 13 inches (198 x 330 mm) full margins. Octavo fold with additional hard creases with an associated loss in t...

Cernophores dancer with Basket, Plate, Crown from "Antiquities of Herculaneum" is an etching on paper realized by Filippo Morghen after Camillus Paderni in the 18th Century. Signed ...

This is an 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta del Tempio detto della Tosse su la Via Tiburtina, un miglio vicino a Tivoli" (View of the so-called Tem...

18th-century celestial FLAMSTEED, John. Camelopardal & Auriga London, C. Nourse, 1753. Hand coloured star chart heightened with gold and silver, engraved by John Mynde, from the s...

FRANCISCO de GOYA y LUCIENTES (1746 -1828) OBSEQUIO á el MAESTRO (‘A gift for the master’) Plate 47 from the 1st edition of Los Caprichos (Blas, ...

Two minor villains from "Medley of Tales of Revenge" square off, as performed at the Kiri theatre, Tokyo, in May of 1794. Toyko: Tsutaya Juzaburo, 1794. Woodblock (nishiki-e) with ...

'Terenzio' (Terence) Copper-line engraving by Silvestro Pomared after Giovanni Domenico Campiglia. Plate number top right corner of image. Giovanni Domenico Campiglia (1692–1768) w...

This early 19th century etching entitled "Veduta di Piazza Navona sopra le rovine del Circo" was created by Jean Barbault (1718-1762) after a painting by...

"The Fern Gatherers" After a painting by George Morland. 1763-1804. - Mezzotint engraving by John Raphael Smith. 1752-1812. Print: 20.75" x 26" - With Frame: 28" x 33.5" Published:...

"Veduta del Sepolcro della Famiglia Plauzia per la Strada Che Conduce da Roma a Tivoli vicino a Ponte Lugano" from "Le Antichità Romane" (Roman Antiquities), one of the most famous works by Piranesi. "Antichita" illustrates the tombs along the Appian Way...

Athena Goddess - Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Filippo Morghen in the 18th Century. ...

A complete set of four hand-coloured mezzotint engravings of sunflowers from: "Phytanthoza Iconographia", c1739, presented in hand-made, parcel-gilt, ebonised and decalcomania frame...

Japanese Original Woodblock Print Harunobu Suzuki (né Hozumi) (Japanese, 1724 - 1770) Presented in a black mat. Mat: 16"H x 12"W Paper: 12"H x 9"W I...

"A sua Eccellenza il Signor Henry Hope Cav. Scozzese Amatore delle Belle Arti from "Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi, Tripodi, Lucerne, Ed Ornamenti Antichi", (Vases, candelabra, grave stones, sarcophagi, tripods, lamps, and ancient ornaments) is an etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, published in 1778. It depicts stone caryatids...

'Cicerone' (Cicero) Copper-line engraving by C Gregory after Giovanni Domenico Campiglia. Plate number top right corner of image. Giovanni Domenico Campiglia (1692–1768) was an Ita...

Letter C is an Etching realized by Luigi Vanvitelli. The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “Le Antichità di Ercolano Esposte”)...

London: c 1750. Steel engraving on cream wove paper, 5 3/8 x 6 3/8 inches (sheet) (142 x 162 mm), margins trimmed inside the platemark. Scattered handling wear, creasing and edge nic...

The Piazza della Rotonda, with the Pantheon and Obelisk. Etching on fine watermarked paper. Signed on plate on lower-left margin "Piranesi del. Sc." and with the address of Bouchard...

Chauve- souris is an etching realized in 1771 by Louis Legrand (1723-1807). Titled and Signed on the plate. The artwork Belongs to the suite "Histoire naturelle, générale et partic...

Copper-line engraving by Nicolas de Launay after Charles Monnet (1732-1808). Thisbe, finding the dead body of Pyramus, throws herself on a sword. Fro...

Haarlem: c1700. Mezzotint on watermarked laid paper, 11 1/2 x 18 1/4 inches (290 x 462 mm), thread margins. In good condition with expert repairs at the right corners, and upper-lef...

Francisco Jose Goya Y Lucientes El Vergonzoso (Plate 54) (Los Caprichos Series) 1799 Etching with aquatint 31.5 x 20.5 cms (12.4 x 8.1 ins)

A hand-colored copper plate engraving depicting "Calendula prolifera; Calendula lutea flore pleno; Calendula lute medioruffa" flowers from Basilius Besler's landmark work, Hortus Eys...

By Giuseppe Vasi after Giovanni Piranesi: Etching and engraving with hand coloring in watercolor on laid paper with an E and R watermark, full margins. Minor...

Procession Of A Daimyo - Original Woodblock Print Original woodblock print depicting the procession of a Daimyo. Ten Japanese soldiers are seen as they aid in transporting the Daimy...

Map of Lucca is an etching realized by Pierre Mortier in the early 18th Century Good condition.

Deutzia Flowers: The Wife of Kasamori - Original Woodblock Print Deutzia Flowers: The Wife of Kasamori, from the Series "Beauties of the Floating World Associated with Flowers" by S...

Two Nude Men is an etching realized by Nicholas Cochin in 1755. Signed on the plate. Good conditions with central folding. The artwork is depicted through confident strokes.

Le Lapin Sauvage is an artwork realized  by Jacques de Seve in 1771.   Etching B./W. print  on ivory paper. Signed on  plate on the lower left margin. The work is glued on cardboar...

Deer horns is an artwork realized  by  Buvée l'Américain in 1771.   Etching B./W. print  on ivory paper. Signed on  plate on the lower left margin. The work is glued on cardboard. ...

These two Giovanni Battista Piranesi 18th century etchings of fireplace designs on one sheet is plate 6 from his publication 'Diverse Maniere d'adornare i cammini ed ogni altra parte degli edifizi desunte dall'architettura Egizia, Etrusca, e Greca con un Ragionamento Apologetico in defesa dell'Architettura Egizia, e Toscana, opera del Cavaliere Giambattista Piranesi...

Etching and engraving with hand coloring in watercolor on cream laid paper. 6 3/4 X 9 5/8 inches (170 x 244 mm), margins trimmed, image intact. Rubbing in the lower left image area obscuring the publishing information (which reads Published by Mm. Darchery, St. James Street March 11, 1783), scattered light foxing, corner loss, top left corner, well outside of image area. "SMP" collector's stamp in red ink on the verso (not in Lugt), and the name "Renier" and the initials "AR" in black ink on the verso. Colors are extremely fresh. Impressions of this work may be found in the permanent collection of the British Museum, and the Yale Center for British Art. Ex-Collection of Anne & Ferdinand Gabriel (F.G.) Renier, reknowned for their inspriational collection of children's books and works on paper, now housed in the Victoria & Albert Museum. _____ The devil officiates at the wedding of Tory Lord North, and Charles James Fox, the Whig statesman whose career spanned almost four decades in Parliament. The satirical scene is the signing of the Fox-North coalition, which was a short-lived partnership the two formed while combining forces in the House of Commons to oust then Prime Minister William Petty, Earl of Shelburne. Fox had fallen out of favor with the Irish born Shelburne, also a Whig, whose ministry remained in power just long enough to see the American War of Independence...

This is a hand-colored copper-plate engraving entitled "Gelsiminum Catalonicum, Mairana Latifollia, Euphasiaramosa Pratensis Flore Albo, Euphasia Minus Ramosa Flore Excereruleo Purpurascente", depicting flowering Jasmine, Mountain Laurel...

"Ni asi la Distingue" is an original aquatint realized by Francisco Goya in 1799, from Los Caprichos series, Plate 7, first edition. Rare and in ...

Bernard Picart, 'The Death of Hercules' from 'The Temple of the Muses', engraving, 1730. Signed in the plate, lower left. Titled in French, English, German, and Dutch. A superb, rich...

Spiaggia detta La Regola is original black and white etching realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Beautiful etching representing a glimpse of Rome. Signed and titled on plate lower margin. ...

A hand-colored copper plate engraving depicting flowering "Melocactos" (Turk's Cap Cactus or Mother-in-law's Cushion), "Rosa Hiericontea aperta" (Rose of Jericho Unfolded), "Rosa Hie...

Letter A is an Etching realized by Luigi Vanvitelli. The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “Le Antichità di Ercolano Esposte”)...

A Cart Race Hand colored etching & aquatint, 1788 Signed in the plate (see photo) Published by William Hollande, London Inscribed in the plate with title, artist's name and publication line 'Rowlandson. 1788./ London. Pubd 1789 by Wm Holland No 50. Oxford Street.' Reference: M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VI, 1938) British Museum Satires 7607 Grego, 'Rowlandson', i. 260, Grego II.392 Provenance: Chris Beetles Ltd., London (label), 2003 Jeffrey M. Kaplan, Washington, D.C. (label) Fursten zu Oettingen-Wallerstein, Lugt 2715a, verso (see photo) Condition: Excellent Printed on 18th century laid paper Archival framing by Chris Beetles Ltd., London Note: The British Museum has two impressions, one trimmed the other full sheet as this example. Accession Number: 1868,0711.35 The Metropolitan Museum has an impression: Accession number 59.533.314 Fitzwilliam Museum: Accession number: 34.14-286 Cleveland Museum of Art accession number: 1958.10 Image description per BM: Three ramshackle two-wheeled carts drawn by wretched horses race (right to left) against a background formed by the church... Note: The British Museum has two impressions, one trimmed the other full sheet as this example. Accession Number: 1868,0711.35 The Metropolitan Museum has an impression: Accession number 59.533.314 Fitzwilliam Museum: Accession number: 34.14-286 Cleveland Museum of Art accession number: 1958.10 Image description per BM: Three ramshackle two-wheeled carts drawn by wretched horses race (right to left) against a background formed by the clouds of dust which they have raised, with a row of gabled houses (right) inscribed 'St Giles', terminating in a church spire (left), and probably representing Broad St. Giles. The occupants of the carts are Irish costermongers typical of St. Giles. The foremost horse gallops, urged on by the shouts of a standing man brandishing a club. The other occupants, two women and a man, cheer derisively the next cart, whose horse has fallen, one woman falling from it head-first, another lies on the ground. The driver lashes the horse furiously. The third cart, of heavier construction, is starting. The horses are partly obscured by the clouds of dust, but denizens watch from casement windows and a door. Two ragged urchins (right) cheer the race; a dog barks. "It was said that the amount of copper Thomas Rowlandson etched would sheathe the British Navy. An inveterate gambler, for much of his life Rowlandson had to produce a flood of his comic prints to stay ahead of financial losses.A wealthy uncle and aunt raised Rowlandson after his textile-merchant father went bankrupt. His career developed quickly. He entered London's Royal Academy Schools in 1772, visited Paris in 1774, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1775, and won a silver medal in 1777. He left school in 1778 to set up in business. Rowlandson's depictions of life in Georgian England exposed human foibles and vanity with sympathy and rollicking humor. During the 1780s he consolidated the delicate style he used for his coarse subjects. He worked mainly in ink and watercolor, his rhythmic compositions, flowing line, and relaxed elegance inspired by French Rococo art...

Artist's proof, printed on antique laid paper, large margins, representing an “antique marble vase in the gallery of the palazzo Barberini” as he r...

Letter Q is an Etching realized by Luigi Vanvitelli. The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “Le Antichità di Ercolano Esposte”)...

Letter B is an Etching realized by Luigi Vanvitelli. The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “Le Antichità di Ercolano Esposte”)...

Letter C is an Etching realized by Luigi Vanvitelli. The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “Le Antichità di Ercolano Esposte”)...

Antiquities of Herculaneum  - Letter of the Alphabet B,  from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Giovanni Mignani in the 18th centur...

Casino della Villa Patrizi Fuori di Via Pia is an original black and white etching of the Late 18th century realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Signed and titled on plate lower margin. Goo...

Letter C is an Etching realized by Luigi Vanvitelli. The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “Le Antichità di Ercolano Esposte”)...

"The two Armies being engaged by break of day, Jupiter sends Iris to bid Hector retire from the Fight, and not return till Agamemnon's wounds had obliged him, to withdraw from the Fi...

Letter A is an Etching realized by Luigi Vanvitelli. The etching belongs to the print suite “Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed” (original title: “Le Antichità di Ercolano Esposte”)...

Artist: Francesco Bartolozzi (Italian, 1727-1815) Title: "Four Muses" & "Father and Two Daughters" Portfolio: Rudiments of Drawing *Issued unsigned, though both are signed by Bartolo...

Artist's proof, printed on antique watermarked paper, wide margins, representing an “antique vase in the Villa Albani” as pointed out in the higher note. ...

Chauvesouris is an etching realized in 1771 by Louis Legrand (1723-1807). Titled and Signed on the plate. The artwork Belongs to the suite "Histoire naturelle, générale et particul...

La Lerot is an etching realized by J.L. Barran in 1771. It belongs to the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon". The Artist's signature is engraved lower right. Good conditions.

This framed original 18th century etching is entitled "Fregio antico di marmo con Ippogrifi, nel cortile del palazzo della Valle" (Ancient Marble Frieze with Hippogriffs in the Courtyard of The Palace of the Valley). The etching is by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, published in Rome in 1778. It is from Piranesi's monumental work "Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi, Tripodi, Lucerne, Ed Ornamenti Antichi", (Vases, candelabra, grave stones...

Antiquities of Herculaneum - Letter of the Alphabet R, from the series "Antiquities of Herculaneum", is an original etching on paper realized by Giovanni ...

Chauvesouris is an etching realized by Jean Charles Baquoy in 1771. It belongs to the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon". The Artist's signature is engraved lower right. Good co...