Mid-18th Century Figurative Prints

A stunning 18th century optical view of London from the Thames. London: 1760. Copper plate engraving with hand coloring in watercolor on cream laid paper with a large circular wate...

A mischievous tableau with sexual overtones. Tokyo: Shuei-Sha, 1768. Woodblock print in colors printed on laid mulberry paper, 10 3/4 x 7 7/8 inches (273 x 200 mm), full margins. I...

Shunga is an original modern artwork realized by Katsukawa Schuncho (1726 – 1793) in the half of the 18th Century. Erotic scene from the series "Koshuko zue juni ko". A courtesan with a customer under a kimono stand...

From a wonderful selection of hand-coloured mezzotint engravings from: "Phytanthoza Iconographia", c1739, presented in a hand-made parcel-gilt, ebonised and decalcomania frame...

An image after the draftsman who accompanied Captain James Cook, R. N. on his second voyage of exploration to the South Pacific aboard the Resolution (1772–75). London: Hogg, Alexan...

William Hogarth (1697-1764). Character vs. Charicature, 1743. Engraving on laid paper, plate measuring 8.25 x 9.25 inches. Framed measurement: 16.25 x 20.25 inches. Characters and...

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...

Kabuki Actor in Blue Kimono - Original Woodblock Print Original woodblock print depicting a Kabuki actor in a blue kimono by Suzuki Harunobu (Japanese, 1725-1770). The actor holds u...

Engraving on cream laid paper, 8 x 5 7/8 inches (202 x 149 mm), trimmed at the platemark. Adhered at each corner to a small sheet of archival laid paper. Horizontal edge loss at the ...

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...

A fascinating image of a well-known theif robbing a merchant of goods held atop her head. Paris: circa 1670. Etching and engraving on cream laid paper, 6 3/4 x 4 15/16 inches (17...

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...

This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta del Mausoleo d'Elio Adriana ora chiamato Castello S. Angelo nella parte opposta alla Facciata de...

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...

18th-century celestial FLAMSTEED, John. Eridanus Orion Lepus London, C. Nourse, 1753. A fine star chart from the Atlas Coelestis, the largest and most accurate star atlas publish...

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

Etching on paper. The architect is Paolo Posi, and the image is engraved by Giuseppe Vasi.  The title: Prospetto della prima Machina rappresentante una Deliziosa ornata di verdure,...

From a wonderful selection of hand-coloured mezzotint engravings from: "Phytanthoza Iconographia", c1739, presented in a hand- made parcel-gilt, ebonised and decalcomania frame...

The Temple of Peace is an original black and white etching realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Good conditions except for the trace of being fold at the middle. Sheet dimention:42 x 56 The...

Chiaroscuro woodcut with underlying engraving on cream laid paper, printed from two blocks in brown and olive. 10 1/4 x 12 3/4 inches (260 x 321 mm) (plate), full margins with the text printing clearly below in black ink. In very good condition with scattered surface soiling and several minor flecks of light discoloration in the margins, especially in the area of the lower right corner, well outside of image area. Unobtrusive notations in pencil in the margin and on the verso. All condition issues are consistent with age. After a drawing of the same title by Polidoro da Caravaggio...

The architect is Paolo Posi, and the image is engraved by Giuseppe Vasi.  The title:  Prospetto della prima machina de fuochi d'artifizio, rappresentante il Tempio di Esculapio figl...

Al Dolo is an original Artwork realized by Giovanni Antonio Canal, commonly known as Canaletto (Venice, 1697 - 1768). Original Etching on Laid paper...

This exquisite piece, titled Three Cherubs, is a lithographic reproduction from La Calcographie du Louvre, printed on fine Lana paper. The artwork captures the whimsical charm of che...

A Harlot's Progress is an etching print realized after William Hogarth in 1732 Signature on the plate on the lower right. Good conditions, with some foxing. A Harlot's Progress" i...

This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta dell'interno dell'Anfiteatro Flavio detto il Colosseo" (View of the interior of the Flavian Amph...

After Giovanni Antonio Canal, called Canaletto Copper plate engraving with hand coloring on cream laid paper with the Arms of France watermark (a crown in shield topped by a fleur-de-lys and the letters GR), 22 3/4 x 15 3/4 inches (576 x 400 mm), wide to full margins. Multiple vertical and horizontal creases from folding and rolling; none appear to be particularly hard, there is however some associated cockeling. While there is some minor mat tone visible around the perimeter of the sheet, the extensive handcoloring remains extremely fresh and saturated in the intended areas. There are edge tears at each the right and left sheet edge (outside of the image area) due to an improper effort to mount the sheet to a mat. Otherwise in very good condition with all issues being consistent with age. The print is wrongly titled "The South East Prospect of Westminster Bridge...

The Study of Hand after Bouchardon is an etching realized by Nicholas Cochin in 1755. Signed on the plate. Good conditions. The artwork is depicted through confident strokes. The...

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. Andromeda Perseus Triangulum London, C. Nourse, 1753. A fine star chart from the Atlas Coelestis, the largest and most accurate star atlas ...

18th-century celestial FLAMSTEED, John. Cetus London, C. Nourse, 1753. A fine star chart from the Atlas Coelestis, the largest and most accurate star atlas published up to that ti...

Scena di Battaglia (Battle Scene) is a wonderful hand-watered etching, made in 1760 by Luigi Guidotti ( Bologna, 1751 -1800 c.a), after Francesco Antonio Simonini. On lower margin u...

From a wonderful selection of hand-coloured mezzotint engravings from: "Phytanthoza Iconographia", c1739, presented in a hand- made parcel-gilt, ebonised and decalcomania frame. So...

Copper-line engraving by Massard after Charles Monnet (1732-1808). Theseus returns from the Calydonian hunt and is met by the river god Achelous. From...

The Industrious Prentice - Lord Mayor of London is an original etching print realized by William Hogarth in 1747 Signature on the plate on the lower right, with the description on t...

Etching on laid and watermarked paper (a double circles visible near the bell tower). 38 th Plate from the series " Views of Rome". Signed on plate on lower-left margin "Piranesi F....

Etching realized by Giambattista Albrizzi (1698-1777) for Thomas Salmon's Lo Stato presente di tutti i Paesi e Popoli do Mondo. Regno di Spagna. Includes a contemporary wooden frame...

Black and white etching on wire rod paper, representing the Greek myth of Glaucus. Wonderful plate with very fresh impression and an elegant line, from the volume “Le Temple des Mus...

The architect is Paolo Posi, and the image is engraved by Giuseppe Vasi.  Etching on paper. Good condition. The title:  Celebratasi colla Machina della precedente sera la beneficenz...

From a wonderful selection of hand-coloured mezzotint engravings from: "Phytanthoza Iconographia", c1739, presented in a hand- made parcel-gilt, ebonised and decalcomania frame. So...

Black and white etching on wire rod paper, representing the Greek myth of the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux. Wonderful plate with very fresh impression and an elegant line, from the v...

Surgical Instruments is part of the Suite Institutiones Chirurgicae by Lorenz Heister. Amsterdam, Janssonius-Waesberg, 1750. Etching on paper. The work belongs to the Latin edition...

Ruins of an Ancient Tomb is an original etching realized by the italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1762. Image dimensions: 41.5x56 cm Very precoius and rare lifetime spec...

Old British Empire Map is an artwork realized around 1760 by Karl Spruner. Original hand-colored print. Good conditions except for yellowing of pa...

Black and white etching on wire rod paper, representing the Greek myth of the nymph Echo. Wonderful plate with fresh impression and a beautiful use of chiaroscuro, from the volume “...

Human Anatomy from the Suite Institutiones Chirurgicae by Lorenz Heister. Amsterdam, Janssonius-Waesberg, 1750. Etching on paper. The work belongs to the Latin edition of the famou...

Wedding and Divorce among the Canadians Etchings, Hand-Watercoloured. Tom.VIII , Plate LII Image Dim: cm 25.5 x 18; Sheet Dim: cm 37.5 x 23.8; Passepartout Dim: cm 49 x 34 Very fine Etching, Hand-watercoloured, showing the nuptial ceremony and the divorse among the Canadian indigenouses...

Surgical Instruments is part of the suite realized by Lorenz Heister in the series of Institutiones Chirurgicae, Amsterdam, Janssonius-Waesberg, 1750. Etching on paper. The work be...

Human heads from Ancient Rome, from the Series "Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed", original etching from the end of the 18th Century, made by Various Old Masters.. In very good co...

The Temple of Neptune is an original black and white etching realized by Giuseppe Vasi. Good conditions except for the trace of being fold at the middle and a folding on the top-rig...

Giovanni Battista Piranesi, The Well, Carcere XIII , from “ Images of Prisons”, Buchard , Rome, 1749-50 Etching on laid paper. Signed on plate “ Piranesi F.” lower-right. Very good ...

The Passage is an etching realized by Nicholas Cochin in 1755. Signed on the plate. Good conditions. The artwork is depicted through confident strokes.

Animal Figures from Ancient Rome, from the Series "The Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed", is an original etching from the end of the 18th century, made by Various Old Masters. In ...

Animal Figures from Ancient Rome, from the Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed is an original etching from the end of the 18th Century, made by Various Old Masters. In very good cond...

English Title: "Magnificent Arc with the Ercole Tebano’s Simulacrum” Image dimensions: 39.9x54.6 cm. Beautiful Proof, showing the apparatus for firework built by the “Cavaliere Pa...

Etching from the series titled "A Harlots Progress" by William Hogarth. The series consists of six paintings and engravings. The story is about a woman named M. Hackabout who arrived in London and started working as a prostitute. The third plate is of her getting arrest for her choice in profession. The series is a satirical story that emphasizes the dangers of being a prostitute and the health risks that come from it. In 18th century engraving, the detail of the black mole on women and men's face is a symbol of the deadly venereal disease, syphilis. In this plate, Hackabout has already contracted the disease and that is why the black dot is visible on her forehead as well as her madam's. In 1828, William Innell Clement published Harlot's Progress in columns on a single page of his newspaper Bell's Life in London #330. The detail with the cross seen in earlier reproductions of the engraving. Dimensions without Frame: H 14.5 in x W 16.5 in. Artist Biography: William Hogarth ( 10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, printmaker, pictorial satirist, social critic, and editorial cartoonist. His work ranged from realistic portraiture to comic strip-like series of pictures called "modern moral subjects", perhaps best known to be his moral series A Harlot's Progress, A Rake's Progress and Marriage A...

Human heads from Ancient Rome, from the Series "Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed", original etching from the end of the 18th Century, made by Various Old Masters. In very good con...

Roman bust for the Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed, original etching from the end of the 18th century, made by Various Old Masters. In very goo...

Animal Figures from Ancient Rome, from the Series "The Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed", is anoriginal etching from the end of the 18th century, made by Various Old Masters. In v...

Frame from Ancient Rome, from the Series "Antiquities of Herculaneum Exposed", is an original etching from the end of the 18th century, made by Various Old Masters. In very good con...

Image dimensions: 25.5 x 18 cm. The Commemoration of Hussein is a fine etching, hand-watercolored, realized by the engraver Gianfrancesco Pivati. This original print, representing ...