What are these?

JayC · 05:49 PM

Hello! This is my first time on the forum and I could sure use some help identifying these prints. They were part of a group that look like they were originally tabbed into something (a book or a volume of some sort). Some of the pages are marked "Fisher, Son and Co. London, (and in some cases) and Paris" and are etched representations of well known period paintings and, in some cases, well known people like King Philippe of France. These appear to be from the turn of the last century. Then there's a group, like some of those shown, that have no indication (except for the artists signature) of where they came from or what they are. The artists signature is in the plate; not on the margin. Finally there are a few that have no markings on them whatsoever.

They are all on fine, handmade paper of the period though all of the paper is not of the same weight. As can be seen, they have been somewhat mistreated and there's some foxing of the pages.

Got any ideas?

saintmarc · August 9th, 2010, 07:23 PM

The first one is by Ignacio Zuloaga

JayC · August 9th, 2010, 11:00 PM

Dear Saintmarc:

Thank you for the lead...it was very helpful. Apparently this is a black & white reproduction of Zuloaga's piece entitled, "Daniel Zuloaga and His Daughters" circa 1914. I have no idea when this reproduction was made though it was stacked with a bunch of prints that appear to date from that period. I've included a few more and one of the "Fisher, Son & Co. London, and Paris" prints, (there are about 20 of these). Any further help on identifying these would be appreciated. I'm assuming they were included in some type of period art books.

JayC

Eirene · August 10th, 2010, 01:49 AM

The second one is - 'Grandmother And Child' by Walter MacKewan - [1860-1943]

http://americangallery.wordpress.com...wen-1860-1943/

No joy locating the third one of Venice. Having trouble deciphering that sig as well. I get Willi... as the surname. Nice print though.

JayC · August 10th, 2010, 10:34 AM

Dear Eirene:

Thank you as well! Apparently, Mr MacEwen isn't as well known as other artists of his period. I found one historical document about his work and that was of recent date, (2009). What I find interesting is his tie to Chicago and his work, featured at the Art Institute. It appears that, around the same time, Ignacio Zuloaga, also had work exhibited at the Art Institute, (I made a mistake in my reply to Saintmarc). Since I am from Chicago...I suspect all of these pieces were featured in a simultaneous exhibit...and the only catalogue I can find that might fit that assumption is "Art Institute of Chicago Catalogue of Paintings Exhibited at the Opening of the New Galleries", 1890...I will have to get a reprint to check.

Again, thank you! This is a great forum.

JayC

Eirene · August 10th, 2010, 10:24 PM

Is this the catalogue you are referring to? There are two of them.

http://www.artic.edu/aic/libraries/p...eries_comb.pdf No images, you would have to dig.

http://www.artic.edu/aic/libraries/r...1890/1890.html

JayC · August 10th, 2010, 11:17 PM

Dear Eirene:

Thank you again! Unfortunately, my excitement at what might have been has been replaced by a realization of what isn't...and these prints are not part of an old Chicago Art Institute catalog. Although it is interesting that I found another artist, Julien Dupres, represented in the 1890 catalog. There is also a print of one of his pieces contained in this group of etchings. I very much appreciate your help and I haven't, yet, put aside the possibility that the Chicago Art Institute somehow plays a part in the production, or at least marketing, of these pieces. Again, thank you so much for your help!

JayC

Hercules Brabazon · August 12th, 2010, 05:29 AM

Here's a link to some information on "the Ionian Captive"

http://www.racollection.org.uk/ixbin...emplates/full/

"The Ionian Captive
Line engraving on steel, 95 X 75 mm
Engraved by Charles Fox Published by Fisher, Son and Company (London), 1846.
From: G.N. Wright, Gallery of engravings, 1846-48"

I haven't time to check now, but you might find details of the other Fisher plates on the same site.

JayC · August 12th, 2010, 05:13 PM

Dear Hercules:

Thank you, the site was interesting. I've run across others offering these "Fisher, Son and Co." prints and what I can't seem to figure is if they are originals from some book or digital copies download and reproduced. I found a couple of museum sites that allow downloading of the digital prints, (even colorized Fisher, Son and Co. prints); for free. This is leading me to believe that many of the prints found for sale are simply digital copies downloaded from these free sites. There's an Ebay seller who seems to have downloaded a whole slew of the colorized prints and is selling them.

I believe mine came from a book. The back of each print has a tab strip that I know was used to glue them into a volume of some kind...the question is what book? Any further help would be much appreciated.

Thanks again.

JayC

P.S.: I've included 5 more print photos.

August 10th, 2010, 10:34 AM	#5
JayC Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 9	Thank You! Dear Eirene: Thank you as well! Apparently, Mr MacEwen isn't as well known as other artists of his period. I found one historical document about his work and that was of recent date, (2009). What I find interesting is his tie to Chicago and his work, featured at the Art Institute. It appears that, around the same time, Ignacio Zuloaga, also had work exhibited at the Art Institute, (I made a mistake in my reply to Saintmarc). Since I am from Chicago...I suspect all of these pieces were featured in a simultaneous exhibit...and the only catalogue I can find that might fit that assumption is "Art Institute of Chicago Catalogue of Paintings Exhibited at the Opening of the New Galleries", 1890...I will have to get a reprint to check. Again, thank you! This is a great forum. JayC

August 10th, 2010, 11:17 PM	#7
JayC Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 9	Thanks again Eirene Dear Eirene: Thank you again! Unfortunately, my excitement at what might have been has been replaced by a realization of what isn't...and these prints are not part of an old Chicago Art Institute catalog. Although it is interesting that I found another artist, Julien Dupres, represented in the 1890 catalog. There is also a print of one of his pieces contained in this group of etchings. I very much appreciate your help and I haven't, yet, put aside the possibility that the Chicago Art Institute somehow plays a part in the production, or at least marketing, of these pieces. Again, thank you so much for your help! JayC

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August 9th, 2010, 07:23 PM	#2
saintmarc Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 347	The first one is by Ignacio Zuloaga

August 10th, 2010, 01:49 AM	#4
Eirene Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 624	The second one is - 'Grandmother And Child' by Walter MacKewan - [1860-1943] http://americangallery.wordpress.com...wen-1860-1943/ No joy locating the third one of Venice. Having trouble deciphering that sig as well. I get Willi... as the surname. Nice print though.

August 10th, 2010, 10:24 PM	#6
Eirene Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 624	Is this the catalogue you are referring to? There are two of them. http://www.artic.edu/aic/libraries/p...eries_comb.pdf No images, you would have to dig. http://www.artic.edu/aic/libraries/r...1890/1890.html

August 12th, 2010, 05:29 AM	#8
Hercules Brabazon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 118	Here's a link to some information on "the Ionian Captive" http://www.racollection.org.uk/ixbin...emplates/full/ "The Ionian Captive Line engraving on steel, 95 X 75 mm Engraved by Charles Fox Published by Fisher, Son and Company (London), 1846. From: G.N. Wright, Gallery of engravings, 1846-48" I haven't time to check now, but you might find details of the other Fisher plates on the same site.