Sports & Leisure · 19th century
€ 100
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
General age-related toning. Minor wear and German text on verso (with black and white illustration). Please study image carefully.
The antique print titled 'Finish' is a lithograph based on a painting by an artist known as C. Becker. Created around 1895, this print was featured in a German magazine and depicts a scene involving jockeys, capturing the climax or concluding moment of a horse race.
Key Elements of the Print:
1. Lithographic Process: As a lithograph, this print would have been produced using a method that involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then using this plate to transfer the image onto paper. This technique was popular in the late 19th century for reproducing artworks.
2. The Racing Scene: The focus on jockeys suggests a dynamic and possibly tense moment typical of horse racing, such as the final stretch of a race ('Finish'). The depiction likely conveys motion, excitement, and the competitive spirit of the sport.
3. Artistic Style of C. Becker: While specific details about C. Becker might not be widely known, the artistic style would reflect the late 19th-century European art trends, possibly incorporating elements of realism to capture the action and intensity of the race.
4. Cultural Significance: Horse racing was a popular sport and social event in the late 19th century, attracting various social classes. Artworks depicting these events were common and celebrated the vigor and elegance of the sport.
5. Publication Context: Being featured in a German magazine indicates the print's appeal to a broad audience of the time. Magazines during this era often included artistic reproductions to captivate their readers with culturally relevant and exciting themes.
6. Historical Value: As an antique print, 'Finish' offers a glimpse into the sports culture and artistic sensibilities of the late 19th century. It serves as a historical representation of horse racing's popularity and the art of lithography.
This print, with its depiction of jockeys in a horse race, is not only an interesting piece for collectors of antique prints but also offers cultural and historical insights into the world of late 19th-century sports and leisure, as well as the art techniques prevalent at the time.
