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John Stevens

1793 – 1868

[His Lady’s Faithful Companion] by John Stevens
 

[His Lady’s Faithful Companion]   1850

  Original etching.
Signed and dated in the plate.
S 365 x 274 mm; P 256 x 181 mm; I 166 x 129 mm
£155
 
Excellent India proof impression, prior to the engraved title.

This image of a devoted dog nuzzling the hand of its mistress at the barred window of a prison recalls the work of Edwin Landseer; however, John Stevens does not humanise his animals in the way of Landseer, preferring to highlight the tragic circumstances in a more naturalistic manner. In many ways, this plate defines the truly Victorian etching – fully worked to the edges of the plate with detailed etched line, this touching genre image implies a tragic narrative of transgression.

On cream India paper, applied to original heavy wove backing sheet, as issued. Foxed in margins, otherwise generally very good original condition.