Dutch School Interior Prints

"Poulaho, King of the Friendly Islands, Drinking Kava" is an engraving created by William Sharp (1749-1824), from a drawing by John Webber (1752-1793), who was the artist on Captain James Cook's 3rd and final voyage of discovery. It was published in the atlas of "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere", the official British Admirality sanctioned journal published upon completion of the voyage in London in 1784 by Strahan & Cadell. Captain Cook visited Tonga on his 3rd voyage, which he named The Friendly Islands because of the warm welcome he and his crew received, unlike some of the other more hostile Pacific islands. The engraving depicts Cook and his men observed a kava ceremony at the village of Mu’a on Tongatapu. King Paulaho sits in the centre foreground, his back to the spectator with a man kneeling before him. The ceremonial mat depicted behind Paulaho indicates that nobody was allowed to sit behind him. The figure in the centre holds a single cup, referring to the Tongan custom of offering the cup to the king first. Kava is native to the islands of the South Pacific and was first described for English readers in 1768 by Captain James Cook. The kava root has been used for centuries as a central feature of ceremonies and celebrations because it was able to bring about a calming and pleasant social atmosphere. The root was crushed and processed into coconut milk to become the focal ceremonial beverage, simply referred to as kava. This engraving is presented in a Koa wood frame and a white mat. Koa wood is legendary in Hawaii. There are occasional faint spots, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. This amazing Koa wood is native to Hawaii and it is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain pattern. Koa has an honored heritage in Hawaii and is highly revered and sacred. The word “koa” means “warrior” in Hawaiian. The warriors of King Kamehameha the Great, created canoes and weapons from a wood plentiful on the Big Island of Hawaii. This wood became synonymous with the warriors themselves, and it became known as koa. There are three other engravings listed from the official journal of Captain Cook's 3rd voyage available that are presented in identical Koa wood frames and mats (LU117324682422, LU117324684052, LU117324684032). They would make a wonderful grouping for a display of 2, 3 or 4 prints. A discount is available for a grouping depending on the number of items included. Captain Cook is remembered as one of the greatest explorers and navigators in history. His explorations included Australia, New Zealand and islands of the South Pacific and the northwest coast of North America. Hawaii was discovered by Captain Cook during this voyage. Hawaii was originally called The Sandwich Islands in honor of The Earl of Sandwich...

This early 19th century framed 35" x 31" engraving by artist Amand-Durand depcits an etching of 'Jesus and the Woman at the Well,' after the Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn. This poignant Biblical story is depicted by Arman-Durand in Rembrandt style...

1932. Drypoint. Appleby 167. 9 1/4 x 11 5/8 (sheet 11 3/8 x 17 15/16). Edition 100 #48. Mat line, well outside the image; otherwise excellent condition. A rich impression with drypo...

A lovely, dark impression with excellent provenance. Paris: Lemerre, 1880. Etching, drypoint, aquatint (dust ground and spirit ground), spit bite, and roulette in black on cream laid paper with a deckle edge, 6 3/4 x 4 1/2 inches (170 x 112 mm), full margins. Fourth state (of 5). An illustration from Alphonse Daudet's, Lettres de mon moulin, Paris, 1880. In very good condition with some light uniform toning and two areas of paper tape at the top right and left corners on the verso (from a former mount). With the 1921 J.H. de Bois circular ink stamp in green ink in the lower right margin on the recto (Lugt L.733). [Bourcard 113]. A note regarding the provenance: J. H. de Bois was a well known late-19th century modern art...

The two plates in this set were created utilizing both engraving and etching techniques by William Hogarth in 1753, originally as illustrations of his book on aesthetics, entitled "Analysis of Beauty". Due to their popularity, these plates were later published separately. The publication line in the lower right reads: "Designed, Engraved, and Publish'd by Wm. Hogarth, March 5th 1753, according to Act of Parliament." Hogarth's original copper plates were refurbished where needed by James Heath and engravings were republished in London in 1822 by Braddock, Cradock & Joy. This was the last time Hogarth's copper plates were used for printing. Most were melted during World War I for the construction of bombs. These large folio sized "Analysis of Beauty" engravings are presented in antiqued gold-colored frames with double mats; the outer silk mats are light brown-colored and the inner mats are dark brown. Each frame measures 27.38" x 31.25" x 1.13". There is one tiny spot in the right margin of plate 1 and another in the lower margin; the latter could be from the printing process. The prints are otherwise in excellent condition. The "Analysis of Beauty" series is in the collection of many major museums, including: The British Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Tate Museum, The Chicago Art Institute and The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The first engraving (Plate 1) depicts a courtyard of statues which is filled with some of the most famous works of classical sculpture. The most important sculptures are surrounded by less impressive works. The Medicean Venus (#13) is in the center with a statue of Julius Caesar (#19) to the right, elevated on a pulley with a short, overdressed Brutus stands over the falling Caesar. The Apollo Belvedere (#12) is next. A judge stands to the right with his foot on a cherub (#16). Another crying cherub holds a gallows and wipes his tears with the judge's robe. A sphinx (#21) and the drunken Silenus (#107) are below the Venus. Michaelangelo's torso (#54) and a statue of Antonius (#6) are seen in the foreground. The Farnese Hercules (#3) and a bust of another Hercules (#4) under two statuettes of Isis are also included in the scene. The key to these objects is included in the form of a serpentine line winding around a cone (#26), Hogarth's "Line of Beauty". For Hogarth the winding line is an essential element of beauty in art. Hogarth's theory of beauty is communicated in this plate. Plate 2 is thought to represent the Wanstead Assembly, with the Earl of Tynley and his household. It is an adaptation of a scene in the Happy Marriage series, which complements Hogarth's Marriage à la Mode...

For a print that's nearly one hundred years old it feels very contemporary. Signed in pencil; titled in lower margin in pencil.

Sportsmen. 1908. Etching and drypoint. Exsteens 271.i/ii. 11 1/4 x 5 3/4 (sheet 17 3/8 x 12 1/4). Series: Les Bars. From the first state edition of 30 proofs with the remarque sketch...

Young Girl by Bernard Sanders (1906-1967) is a classic example of his masterful portraiture. This is a drypoint. It is signed in pencil, titled in the lower left margin, and initial...

G. Paterson "Dinner Party at a Mandarin's House" Original Engraving After T. Allom C.1840 Original engraving Dimensions 8" wide x 5" high The frame measures 20.5" wide x 18.5" hig...

James Dobie "The New Will" Color Engraving After Walter Dendy Sadler c.1894 Original 19th century color engraving Engraved by James Dobie after artwork b...

Politics (Tonnere de Brest). 1926. Drypoint. Appleby 108. 7 x 9 (sheet 10 1/2 x 15 1/2). A rich impression printed on cream wove paper with full margins. Illustrated: Salaman, Modern...

1917. Etching. Hardie 175. 8 x 15 (sheet 10 1/8 x 16 15/16). Edition 76. Slight mat line; otherwise excellent condition. A rich impression printed on antique laid paper with full m...