RARE ENGRAVING: Mrs. Billington as St Cecilia Engraving (Circa 1803) James Ward After Sir Joshua Reynold
Total size in matte and frame: 31 1/4" h x 25 1/4" w.
Sheet size: 26 5/8" h x 16 3/4" w.
Image area: 25" h x 16 5/16" w.
Medium: Mezzotint on moderately thick, moderately textured, beige, laid paper
Overall appearance is good with some moisture marks on the matte (but not on the print) -- See photo #9. And some residue under the glass -- See photo #5. Typical signs of its antique age.
Provenance: Kennedy & Co. Rare Prints (on backside). From a collector in a Gold Coast mansion on the north shore of Long Island.
A fine
impression of this large well-known and marvelous mezzotint by James Ward
(1723-1792) after the oil painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, showing the great
18th-century soprano standing full-length portrayed as St. Cecilia, the patron
saint of music. She is holding a score and appears to be singing together with
a group of four cherubs above her, while another is placing a wreath on her
head.