Tower of Crevecoeur on the Meuse, Antique Engraving after Allom, circa 1850

About this sheet

A broad river landscape on the Meuse, with the ruined tower of Crevecoeur perched on a rocky height at right, its broken walls silhouetted against the evening sky. The cliff below the ruin is thick with trees and scrub, and a road follows its foot beside the water, where a light carriage drawn by spirited white horses races toward the viewer. A solitary figure sits on the wooden rail at the roadside, watching it pass.

The river curves away into the distance between wooded hills. On its far bank a fortified building and a town with church spires sit beneath a steep slope crowned by a long fortress, and a bridge crosses the water in the middle distance. Low sunlight breaks through the clouds and glitters on the surface of the river.

The lettering credits the drawing to Thomas Allom and the engraving to Prior, with the title The Tower of Creve-Coeur, upon the Meuse, and the imprint of The London Printing and Publishing Company, Limited. The ruin of Crevecoeur stands above Bouvignes, on the Belgian stretch of the Meuse.

This is a steel engraving, with the sky and water handled in delicate, silvery tones that contrast with the dense, dark rock of the cliff. The carriage and horses are full of movement, a lively touch in an otherwise tranquil scene.

A romantic river view for a living room or study, it would sit comfortably in a gilt frame alongside other Rhine or Meuse landscapes.

Condition: Light wear to the bottom right corner. Light age toning; light handling soiling along the edges and a few small spots in the margins. Printed image clean.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed.