Europe · 18th century
€ 130
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good. Soiling due to handling and scattered minor browning due to age. Minor foxing and a water stain outside the image on lower left. Study the images carefully.
This evocative print titled "Vue de Messine & de Son Détroit" presents a picturesque view of Messina and its strait, a vital waterway separating Sicily from the Italian peninsula. The artwork, attributed to S. Birmann (indicated by 'pinx.' for 'pinxit,' meaning 'painted by'), captures the tranquil beauty of the region with a delicate touch and attention to the lush landscape.
The masterful engraving by Sutherland ('Sculp.' for 'sculpsit,' meaning 'engraved by') brings to life the serene ambiance of the strait, with its vibrant flora and the gentle interaction of the figures beneath the palm tree. The print's publication by J.F. d'Ostervald in Paris and Priestly and Weale in London reflects the artwork's international appeal and the cross-cultural appreciation of Mediterranean vistas during the period.
The finely executed hand-coloring of the print suggests it was created for an audience with a taste for high-quality depictions of notable European locales. The precise date of publication is not provided, but the style and method of distribution hint at a creation date in the late 18th or early 19th century. This print would have been a treasured keepsake for Grand Tour travelers or a prized decorative piece for connoisseurs of European landscapes.
The measurements are including the margins, not the image only.
