Gustave Mercier and William Magrath - Courtship in Ancient Times

Courtship in Ancient Times

Gustave Mercier's original etching, "Courtship in Ancient Times" is based upon a design created by William Magrath. It is a 'proof impression' printed upon fine Japon paper and with wide full margins as published in New York by C. Klackner in 1889. The etching containing the publisher's address along the upper margin and also signed in pencil by both the American artist, William Magrath and the French artist, Gustave Mercier along the lower margin. "Courtship in Ancient Times" is a fine, original example of the graphic art of William Magrath and Gustave Mercier.

Courtship in Ancient Times

View other original works of art published by the New York firm, C. Klackner.

C. Klackner, New York (Christian Klackner (born, c. 1850 - New York, 1916)
#	Image	Title & Artist	Artist Info	Date	Medium	Info	-
01.-		Accused of Witchcraft by James S. King designed by Douglas Volk.	James S. King 'James King' (New York, 1852 - Montclair, New Jersey, 1925)	1884	Original Etching	Signed in pencil by James King, Artist Proof Impression on China Paper
02.-		Apse of the Parish Church of Saint Pierre, Caen, France by Edward Sharland.	Edward W. Sharland 'Edward Sharland' (Bristol, active, 1911 - 1928)	1915	Original Etching	Signed in pencil by Edward Sharland, Artist Proof Impression on China Paper
03.-		Between two Fires by Eugene Abot designed by John Leon Moran.	Eugene Michel Joseph Abot 'Eugene Abot' (Malines, 1836 - Paris, 1894)	1884	Original Etching	Signed in pencil by both Leon Moran and Eugene Abot, Artist Proof Impression on China Paper
04.-		Wedding Bells in Old Trinity (Wall Street and Broadway, Trinity Church Altar, New York) by John T. Bentley.	John T. Bentley 'John Bentley' (Canadian / American, active, New Jersey, c. 1880-1918)	1885	Original Etching	Signed in pencil by John Bentley, Remarque Proof impression
05.-		Courtship in Ancient Times by Gustave Mercier designed by William Magrath.	Gustave Mercier (Paris, 1858 - New York, 1898)	1889	Original Etching	Signed in pencil by both William Magrath and Gustave Mercier, Remarque Proof Impression on China Paper.
06.-		Far Fram Hame (Far From Home) by James Scott designed by John George Brown.	James Scott (Durham, England, 1831 - New York City, 1913)	1884	Original Mixed Method Engraving	Titled Impression on China Paper	Sold
07.-		Little Dick Turpin by Frederick Spiegle and Charles Spiegle.	Frederick M. Spiegle 'Frederick Spiegle' (New York, 1863 - 1942)	1891	Original Etching	Signed by both Charles Spiegle and Frederick Spiegle in pencil, Remarque Proof impression
08.-		The Path by The Shore by Henry Pruett Share designed by Albert Fitch Bellows.	Henry Pruett Share (New York, 1853 - 1905)	1886	Original Etching	Signed in pencil by Henry Pruett Share, Remarque Proof impression.
09.-		The Rehearsal by Frederick M. Spiegle.	Frederick M. Spiegle 'Frederick Spiegle' (New York, 1863 - 1942)	1888	Original Etching	Signed in pencil by Frederick Spiegle, Remarque Proof impression on Vellum
10.-		Young Womanhood by Jennie Brownscombe.	Jennie Augusta Brownscombe 'Jennie Brownscombe' (Honesdale, Pennsylvania., 1850 - New York, 1931)	1889	Original Engraving & Etching	Signed by Jennie Brownscombe in pencil, Artist Proof Impression on China Paper	Sold

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Title:	Courtship in Ancient Times
Engraver:	Mercier, Gustave (Paris, 1858 - New York, 1898)
Designer:	Magrath, William (Ireland, 1838 - Brighton, New York, 1918)
Date:	1889
Medium:	Original Etching
Publisher:	C. Klackner, New York
Printer:	G. W. H. Richie
Edition:	Signed Remarque Proof Impression on China Paper
Note:	Gustave Mercier: A French born etcher and engraver, Gustave Mercier studied printmaking techniques under Gaucherel, in Paris. He moved to New York around 1880 and was regularly commissioned by Klackner and other major publishers of fine art engravings. Courtship in Ancient Times is one of his largest and most accomplished etchings. Other examples published by C. Klackner at No. 5 East 17th Street, New York include, Mistress Anne after Leon Moran, The Evening Breeze after H. Siddons Mowbray, Fin du Travail after Jules Breton, and another by William Magrath entitled, Favors for the Fair. Examples of his works can be found in the Museum of Art, Boston, the Baltimore Museum of art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and other important private and public institutions.
	William Magrath: A fine nineteenth century painter and watercolor artist of landscapes, genre scenes and portraits, William Magrath was born in Cork, Ireland in 1838. He studied art at the Cork School of Design before moving to the United States in the mid 1850's. He first established his reputation in New York City and then moved to Washington, DC, where he opened a successful studio. It has been suggested that Magrath was a follower of the Dutch painter, Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema (1836-1912), and it is surely evident in this original etching entitled, Courtship in Ancient Times which is based upon William Magrath's design. Magrath exhibited many scenes from classical antiquity to Irish rural life in major American institutions. William Magrath exhibited at the National Academy of Design, the American Society of Painters in Water Colors, the Royal Academy, the Manchester City Art Gallery and other important institutions. William Magrath was a full member of the prestigious National Academy of Design. Examples of his works can be found in the Crawford Gallery, Cork and the Municipal Gallery of Art, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and other important private and public institutions.
	The 19th Century Remarque Proof: During the latter nineteenth century many major publishers of engravings and etchings in both England and America issued a small number of 'proof' impressions before publishing the regular edition. Proof impressions were struck before the title of the work was added along the lower margin and were printed on superior papers -- usually china, Japon or vellum. They also contained an added etched image (the 'Remarque') within the lower margin. In Courtship in Ancient Times the Remarque is just to the right of William Magrath's signature. As well, proof impressions were the only etchings to be hand signed by the etcher or designer, or both.
	The New York publisher, C. Klackner, issued proof impressions signed by his artists and designers. These included Winslow Homer, Gustave Mercier, William Magrath, James S. King, Frederick Spiegle, John T. Bentley, Edward W. Sharland, Eugene Michel Joseph Abot, Leon Moran and other late 19th and early 20th century artists. The majority of Remarque Proof impressions printed by Christian Klackner were usually limited to small editions. This is probably the case with Courtship in Ancient Times.
	Large Victorian Engravings: During the last quarter of the 19th century, large engravings were created to hang in Victorian homes. Highly skilled engravers would often devote more than a full year's labour to one of these large works of art, often combining mezzotinting, aquatint, stippling, engraving and etching on the same plate. These large engravings became the driving force of the Victorian art world. In fact, all the famous artists in England and America devoted their energies to the lucrative engraving market. Painters of international stature, such as George Henry Boughton (1883-1905), Sir John Everett Millais (1829-1896), Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-1873), Sir Frederic Leighton, 1st Baron Leighton (1830-1896), John George Brown (1831-1913) and Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema (1836-1912) made their fortunes more by selling engraving rights to the publishers than by the actual sales of their paintings. This large Victorian work of art entitled, Courtship in Ancient Times was completely created in the medium of etching.
	Large Victorian engravings are now very scarce. Nineteenth century framers had no knowledge of conservation methods and thus the majority of these valuable works of art have simply disappeared or have been unalterably stained and marred in their acidic matting and frames. Another impression of this very large engraving in such good condition would be difficult to find.
Size:	34 1/2 X 19 1/2 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	UnMatted
Buy Now	Price: $795.00 US
Condition:	Printed upon fine Japon paper and with wide full margins as published in New York by Christian Klackner in 1889. Containing the publisher's address along the upper margin and also signed in pencil by both William Magrath and Gustave Mercier along the lower margin. Containing slight creasing in the outer margins else a finely printed, proof impression and in good condition throughout. Courtship in Ancient Times represents a superb, large example of the art of William Magrath and Gustave Mercier.
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