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Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

British, 1736-1785

Alexander Runciman, born on August 15, 1736, in Edinburgh, was a Scottish painter of historical and mythological subjects. He was the elder brother of John Runciman, also a painter. He studied at the Foulis Academy, Glasgow and from 1750–62, he was apprenticed to the landscape painter Robert Norie, later becoming a partner in the Norie family firm. He also worked as a stage painter for the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh. In 1767, he went to Rome, where he spent five years. His brother John accompanied him but died in Naples in the winter of 1768–69. During Runciman's stay in Italy, he became acquainted with other artists such as Henry Fuseli and the sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel. Runciman's earliest efforts had been in the landscape and he turned to historical and imaginative subjects, exhibiting his Nausicaä at Play with her Maidens in 1767 at the Free Society of British Artists, Edinburgh. On his return from Italy after a brief time in London, he exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy in 1772. He settled in Edinburgh and was appointed master of the Trustees Drawing Academy. He was patronized by Sir James Clerk, whose hall at Penicuik House he decorated with a series of subjects from Ossian. He also created various religious paintings and an altar-piece in the Scottish Episcopal Church, Edinburgh and easel pictures of Cymon and Iphigenia, Sigismunda Weeping over the Heart of Tancred and Agrippina with the Ashes of Germanicus. In 1773, he was listed as sharing a studio with Mr. McLarin at the foot of Old Assembly Close, Royal Mile. He enjoyed a strong reputation as a landscape painter in his lifetime. Some of his works, due to their spontaneity, the vigor of style, color and unorthodox composition, place him as an early exponent of modern art. Keith Ralph studied under Alexander Runciman. Runciman died on October 4, 1785, in Edinburgh and is buried in Canongate Churchyard. The grave is unmarked but a stone plaque was erected by the RSA in 1866 on the west-facing wall of the church to honor his memory and also commemorating his brother John who died in Naples.

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Artist: Alexander Runciman
"Perseus and Andromeda" figurative black and white mythology scene figurative
By Alexander Runciman
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Perseus and Andromeda" is an etching by Scottish artist Alexander Runciman, signed in plate to the lower left. It depicts Perseus on the left sw...
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1770s Old Masters Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

18th century etching figurative neoclassical mythology scene dynamic
By Alexander Runciman
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Cormar Attacking a Spirit on the Waters" is an etching by eighteenth-century Scottish artist Alexander Runciman, signed in plate on the lower edge of the etching, "ARunciman inv. & ...
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1770s Academic Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching, Paper, Ink

18th century etching figurative royalty wedding scene print black and white
By Alexander Runciman
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"The Marriage of Saint Margaret and King Malcolm" is an etching by Scottish artist Alexander Runciman. There is an engraved signature with the artist's monogram followed by "pinxit et fecit," indicating that Runciman both designed the original drawing and likely executed the etching on the metal plate. On the left, a young woman with a halo in fine dress stoops slightly and gathers her skirts as she leans over to accept the ring that the man on the right is reaching to place upon her finger. He is also young, dressed finely, and wearing a crown. Between them, a church official with a pointed hat and a long flowing beard recites the appropriate prayers for the occasion, while onlookers crowd in the background. The tiled floor demonstrates the use of one-point perspective, and the church appears to be in the Gothic style. Art size: 8 3/4" x 7 1/4" Frame size: 26 1/2" x 22 3/8" Alexander Runciman (Edinburgh 15 August 1736 – 4 October 1785 Edinburgh) was a Scottish painter of historical and mythological subjects. He was the elder brother of John Runciman, also a painter. He was born in Edinburgh, and studied at the Foulis Academy, Glasgow, and from 1750 to 1762 he was apprenticed to the landscape painter Robert Norie, later becoming a partner in the Norie family firm. He also worked as a stage painter for the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh. In 1767, he went to Rome, where he spent five years. His brother John accompanied him, but died in Naples in the winter of 1768–69. During Runciman's stay in Italy he became acquainted with other artists such as Henry Fuseli and the sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel...
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1770s Academic Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

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Chamomile & Safflower: A 17th-18th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored copper plate engraving entitled "Chamemelum Romanum flore simplici (Chamomile), Cincus Sativus (False saffron, Safflower), Chamaemelum Romanum Flore (Roman Chamomile)", depicting flowering Chamomile, Safflower and Roman Chamomile plants respectively from Basilius Besler's landmark work, Hortus Eystettensis (Garden at Eichstatt), first published in 1613 in Eichstatt, Germany near Nuremberg and later in 1640 and 1713. This beautiful colorful engraving is printed on thin laid chain-linked paper with wide margins. There are a few small spots and some irregularity of the lower edge. There is some bleed-through of text from the verso. The print is otherwise in excellent condition with striking hand-coloring. The sheet measures 22.25" high and 17.38" wide. Basilius Besler (1561–1629) was an apothecary and botanist. He was curator of the Willibaldsburg Castle garden of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, prince bishop...
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Early 18th Century Academic Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

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Engraving

The Crucifixion (Christ on the Cross) /// Jesus after Albrecht Dürer Old Masters
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Lambrecht Hopfer (German, Active c. 1525-1550) Title: "The Crucifixion (Christ on the Cross)" Portfolio: (after) The Engraved Passion *Issued unsigned, though monogram signed by Hopfer in the plate (printed signature) lower right Circa: 1530 (second state of three, published c. 1690) Medium: Original Etching on laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: The Hopfer family, Augsburg, Germany; (David Funck, Nuremberg, Germany) Publisher: The Hopfer family, Augsburg, Germany; (David Funck, Nuremberg, Germany) Reference: Bartsch No. VIII.527.12; Hollstein No. 12.II Framing: Recently framed, the sheet is floated over, and top-matted with a 100% cotton fabric rag mat from Holland in a wood moulding and Museum glass Framed size: 14.88" x 13.88" Sheet size: 5.5" x 3.63" Condition: Trimmed to platemark. A few tiny professional repairs: at elbow of Jesus's right arm and the inside thigh of Jesus. Some light skinning upper right corner and lower right area. It is otherwise a strong impression in good condition Very rare Notes: Provenance: private collection - Green Bay, WI; acquired from Sotheby's, New York, NY in c. 2015. The artist Lambrecht Hopfer's printed monogram signature "LH" lower right. The printer/publisher David Funck's (plate) number "182" lower right. This etching is after Albrecht Dürer’s 1511 engraving "The Crucifixion (Christ on the Cross)", ("Dürer-Katalog" - Meder No. 13, page 73). Printed in black from an iron plate. The image depicts Christ on the cross at center, the Virgin at left, two Maries behind her, St. John standing at right, a Roman solider behind him. It is after the eleventh plate of Dürer's sixteen plates from his 1507-1513 "The Engraved Passion" series, ("Dürer-Katalog" - Meder No. 3-18, page 70-74). "The print was originally designed without the number engraved in the lower margin (First state: Lambrecht Hopfer, c. 1530). The Hopfers' descendant David Funck (Nuremberg, 1642–1705) acquired over two hundred of their original iron plates, engraved numbers into them, and re-printed them around 1686-1700. The "182" indicates that "The Crucifixion" was the 182nd print in Funck’s series (Second state: David Funck, c. 1686-1700). About a century later, 92 of these plates were acquired by Carl Wilhelm Silberberg in Frankfurt and printed for the third and final time in the book "Opera Hopferiana", of which "The Crucifixion" was the 90th print (Third state: Carl Wilhelm Silberberg for "Opera Hopferiana", 1802)". - Elizabeth Upper, Cambridge University Library, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Biography: Lambrecht (Lambert) Hopfer (Active c. 1525-1550) was a German Old Masters printmaker. He was the brother of Hieronymus Hopfer (Active c. 1520-1530) and son of Daniel Hopfer...
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16th Century Old Masters Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching, Laid Paper

Meridies; Der Mittag (Noon; The Midday) /// Johann Daniel Preissler Old Master
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: (after) Johann Daniel Preissler (German, 1666-1737) Title: "Meridies; Der Mittag (Noon; The Midday)" Portfolio: Die Vier Tageszeiten (The Four Times of Day) Year: 1723 Medium: Original Etching and Engraving on laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: likely Johann Balthasar Probst, Augsburg, Germany Publisher: Jeremias Wolff (Erben), Augsburg, Germany Reference: Le Blanc No. 255, 38; Nagler No. 23 Sheet size: 22.5" x 16.32" Image size: 18.13" x 14.32" Condition: Soft handling creases and folds to sheet. A few light areas of staining and scattered small areas of discoloration in margins. Two small tears skillfully repaired from verso in margins. Has been professionally stored away for decades. It is otherwise a strong impression in good condition with full margins Extremely rare Notes: Provenance: private collection - Aspen, CO. Engraved by German artist Johann Balthasar Probst (1673-1750) after a drawing by German artist Johann Daniel Preissler (1666-1737). Comes from Preissler's 1723 "Die Vier Tageszeiten (The Four Times of Day)" portfolio of four etchings and engravings. Printed from one copper plate in one color: black. Descriptions of the portrayed image are printed in Latin and German. Biography: Johann Daniel Preissler, or Preisler (1666–1737) was a German painter and director of Nuremberg's Academy of Fine Arts. He was a notable member of a German artistic family, originating in Bohemia. His children included Johann Justin Preissler (1698–1771), Georg Martin Preisler (1700–1754), Barbara Helena Preisler (1707–1758; married to Oeding), Johan Martin Preisler (1715–1794), and Valentin Daniel Preisler (1717–1765), all in their time renowned artists. Most notable for his portraits, nudes and history paintings, Johann Daniel Preissler also produced drawings and frescoes. He was particularly known beyond his native Nuremberg for his "Die durch Theorie erfundene Practic", a sequence of works on art theory – the individual works were translated into several other languages and served as textbooks for students such as the Swiss Salomon Gessner...
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1720s Old Masters Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Laid Paper, Engraving, Etching

Vespera; Der Abend (Evening; The Evening) /// Johann Daniel Preissler Old Master
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: (after) Johann Daniel Preissler (German, 1666-1737) Title: "Vespera; Der Abend (Evening; The Evening)" Portfolio: Die Vier Tageszeiten (The Four Times of Day) Year: 1723 Medium: Original Etching and Engraving on laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: likely Johann Balthasar Probst, Augsburg, Germany Publisher: Jeremias Wolff (Erben), Augsburg, Germany Reference: Le Blanc No. 255, 38; Nagler No. 23 Sheet size: 22.5" x 16.63" Image size: 17.38" x 13.63" Condition: Soft handling creases and folds to sheet. Some scattered foxmarks in left margin. Two small tears skillfully repaired from verso in margins. Has been professionally stored away for decades. It is otherwise a strong impression in good condition with full margins Extremely rare Notes: Provenance: private collection - Aspen, CO. Engraved by German artist Johann Balthasar Probst (1673-1750) after a drawing by German artist Johann Daniel Preissler (1666-1737). Comes from Preissler's 1723 "Die Vier Tageszeiten (The Four Times of Day)" portfolio of four etchings and engravings. Printed from one copper plate in one color: black. Descriptions of the portrayed image are printed in Latin and German. Biography: Johann Daniel Preissler, or Preisler (1666–1737) was a German painter and director of Nuremberg's Academy of Fine Arts. He was a notable member of a German artistic family, originating in Bohemia. His children included Johann Justin Preissler (1698–1771), Georg Martin Preisler (1700–1754), Barbara Helena Preisler (1707–1758; married to Oeding), Johan Martin Preisler (1715–1794), and Valentin Daniel Preisler (1717–1765), all in their time renowned artists. Most notable for his portraits, nudes and history paintings, Johann Daniel Preissler also produced drawings and frescoes. He was particularly known beyond his native Nuremberg for his "Die durch Theorie erfundene Practic", a sequence of works on art theory – the individual works were translated into several other languages and served as textbooks for students such as the Swiss Salomon Gessner...
Category

1720s Old Masters Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Laid Paper, Engraving, Etching

Aurora sive Tempus Matutinum; Der Wohl und Übel angewandte Morgen /// Old Master
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: (after) Johann Daniel Preissler (German, 1666-1737) Title: "Aurora sive Tempus Matutinum; Der Wohl und Übel angewandte Morgen (Dawn or Morning Time; The Morning Used for Better or For Worse)" Portfolio: Die Vier Tageszeiten (The Four Times of Day) Year: 1723 Medium: Original Etching and Engraving on laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: likely Johann Balthasar Probst, Augsburg, Germany Publisher: Jeremias Wolff (Erben), Augsburg, Germany Reference: Le Blanc No. 255, 38; Nagler No. 23 Sheet size: 22.57" x 16.38" Image size: 17.75" x 14" Condition: Soft handling creases, folds, and scattered faint areas of discoloration to sheet. Three tears skillfully repaired from verso. Has been professionally stored away for decades. It is otherwise a strong impression in good condition with full margins Extremely rare Notes: Provenance: private collection - Aspen, CO. Engraved by German artist Johann Balthasar Probst (1673-1750) after a drawing by German artist Johann Daniel Preissler (1666-1737). Comes from Preissler's 1723 "Die Vier Tageszeiten (The Four Times of Day)" portfolio of four etchings and engravings. Printed from one copper plate in one color: black. Descriptions of the portrayed image are printed in Latin and German. Biography: Johann Daniel Preissler, or Preisler (1666–1737) was a German painter and director of Nuremberg's Academy of Fine Arts. He was a notable member of a German artistic family, originating in Bohemia. His children included Johann Justin Preissler (1698–1771), Georg Martin Preisler (1700–1754), Barbara Helena Preisler (1707–1758; married to Oeding), Johan Martin Preisler (1715–1794), and Valentin Daniel Preisler (1717–1765), all in their time renowned artists. Most notable for his portraits, nudes and history paintings, Johann Daniel Preissler also produced drawings and frescoes. He was particularly known beyond his native Nuremberg for his "Die durch Theorie erfundene Practic", a sequence of works on art theory – the individual works were translated into several other languages and served as textbooks for students such as the Swiss Salomon Gessner...
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1720s Old Masters Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Laid Paper, Engraving, Etching

Basilica of San Lorenzo in Rome: A Framed 18th Century Etching by Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta della Basilica di S. Lorenzo fuor della mura" (Basilica of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls), published in Rome in 1750 in Piranesi's Vedute di Roma (Views of Rome), This etching depicts the Basilica of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls, which is a Roman Catholic papal basilica and parish church, located in Rome, Italy. The Basilica is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and one of the five "papal basilicas". It was built as a shrine to the martyred Roman deacon St. Lawrence. This Piranesi etching is held by many museums and institutions, including: The Metropolitan Museum, The British Museum, The National Gallery of Art, The Yale University Art Gallery, and The Harvard Museum of Art. This magnificent etching is presented in a brown-colored wood frame and a tan French...
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1750s Old Masters Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

Amaranthus tricolor: A 17th-18th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored copper plate engraving entitled "Amaranthus Tricolor", depicting a flowering Amaranthus Tricolor plant from Basilius Besler's landmark work, Hortus Eystettensis (Garden at Eichstatt), first published in 1613 in Eichstatt, Germany near Nuremberg and later in 1640 and 1713. Amaranthus tricolor, known as edible amaranth, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Amaranthus. The plant is often cultivated for ornamental and culinary purposes. Cultivars have a striking yellow, red, and green foliage. It is known as Joseph's coat in some areas, after the biblical figure Joseph, who is said to have worn a coat of many colors. Amaranthus tricolor is one of several species of amaranth cultivated in warm regions across the world. This beautiful colorful engraving is printed on thin laid chain-linked paper with very wide margins. There is a short crease in the upper right corner, mild irregularity of the left, right and lower edges and some bleed-through of text from the verso. The print is otherwise in excellent condition with striking hand-coloring. The sheet measures 22.13" high and 17.13" wide. Basilius Besler (1561–1629) was an apothecary and botanist. He was curator of the Willibaldsburg Castle garden of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, prince bishop...
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Early 18th Century Academic Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Engraving

Buttercup Flowers: A Besler 18th Century Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored copper plate engraving depicting Ranunculus (Persian Buttercup) flowers from Basilius Besler's landmark work, Hortus Eystettensis (Garden at Eichstatt), first published in 1613 in Eichstatt, Germany near Nuremberg and later in 1640 and 1713. This beautiful colorful engraving is printed on thick laid chain-linked paper. There is latin text on the verso. There are central horizontal creases and two small holes on the right and another in the left lower corner. It is otherwise in excellent condition. Basilius Besler (1561–1629) was an apothecary and botanist. He was curator of the Willibaldsburg Castle garden of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, prince bishop...
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Early 18th Century Academic Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Engraving

Sneezewort, Poppy, Strawflower: 17th C. Besler Hand-colored Botanical Engraving
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a hand-colored copper plate engraving entitled "Ptarmica Vulgaris (Sneezewort), Papaver Spinosum (Mexican Poppy), Chrysocame Peregrina (Seaside Strawflower)", depicting flowering Sneezewort, Mexican Poppy and Seaside Strawberry plants respectively from Basilius Besler's landmark work, Hortus Eystettensis (Garden at Eichstatt), first published in 1613 in Eichstatt, Germany near Nuremberg and later in 1640 and 1713. This beautiful colorful engraving is printed on thin laid chain-linked paper. The left margin is thinner than the others and the left edge is somewhat irregular where the engraving was previously bound in the original publication. The print is otherwise in excellent condition with striking hand-coloring. The sheet measures 20" high and 16.38" wide. Basilius Besler (1561–1629) was an apothecary and botanist. He was curator of the Willibaldsburg Castle garden of Johann Konrad von Gemmingen, prince bishop...
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1640s Academic Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

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Engraving

Church of St. Costanza, Rome: An 18th Century Piranesi Architectural Etching
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a framed 18th century Giovanni Battista Piranesi etching entitled: "Veduta interna del Sepocro di Santa Costanza, fabbricat...
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1770s Old Masters Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

“La Femme aux Figues”
By Paul Gauguin
Located in Southampton, NY
Original etching and lavis in black ink on Arches watermarked crème laid paper by Paul Gauguin. Titled: “La Femme aux Figues” (The Woman with Figs). This impression is from the 3rd s...
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1970s Academic Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

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Archival Paper, Etching

“La Femme aux Figues”
“La Femme aux Figues”
H 10.5 in W 16.5 in D 0.25 in
The Basilica of St. Paul in Rome, Early 19th Century Etching by Luigi Rossini
By Luigi Rossini
Located in Alamo, CA
"Rovina della gran Basilica di S. Paolo fueri le mura accaduta" (View of the Ruins of the Great Triumphal Arch of S. Paolo Fuori le Mura) from "Le Antichita Romane" (Ancient Rome), published in Rome in 1823. It depicts the destruction of the Basilica of St. Paul after the fire of 1823. People stand in the road and on the right observing the damage amid debris, which includes many fragments of columns. The etching is presented in a silver-color wood frame with an off-white double mat with a black inner mat. There are a few small spots, but it is otherwise in very good condition. See item # LU117324669722 for another Rossini etching...
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1820s Old Masters Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

Previously Available Items
"Perseus and the Sleeping Medusa, " Neo-classical Etching by A. Runciman
By Alexander Runciman
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Perseus and and the Sleeping Medusa" is a Neo-Classical etching by Scottish artist Alexander Runciman. It has an engraved signature along the bottom...
Category

1770s Academic Alexander Runciman Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching, Paper, Ink

Alexander Runciman prints and multiples for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Alexander Runciman prints and multiples available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Alexander Runciman in etching, ink, paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 18th century and is mostly associated with the Old Masters style. Not every interior allows for large Alexander Runciman prints and multiples, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, George Edwards, and Crispin de Passe II. Alexander Runciman prints and multiples prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,500 and tops out at $3,300, while the average work can sell for $1,900.

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