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Chromolithography: The Art of Color
Genre
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An unrecorded pair of prints by the famous American genre artist John George Brown (1831-1913). Born in Durham, England, on the 11th of November 1831, Brown studied at Newcastle-on-Type, in the Edinburgh Academy, and after moving to New York City in 1853, at the schools of the National Academy of Design. In 1866 he became one- of the charter members of, the Water-Color Society, of which he was president from 1887 to 1904. He is best known for his images of children, though usually street urchins rather than the beatific young ladies depicted here.
Here we have a pair of prints designed to provide morally uplifting images for the home, with figures representing the virtues of hope and purity. Catherine E. Beecher & Harriet Beecher Stowe, in The American Women's Home (1869), said this about the role of such prints, "The educating influence of these works of art can hardly be overestimated. Surrounded by such suggestions of the beautiful, and such reminders of history and art, children are constantly trained to correctness of taste and refinement of thought, and stimulated-sometimes to efforts at artistic imitation, always to the eager and intelligent inquiry about the scenes, the places, the incidents represented." We have been unable to find any record of J. Snedecor nor his "Chromos," so this may have been a failed attempt to break into the market for top end chromolithographs that had been pioneered by Prang. Despite this apparent lack of success for these prints, their quality is very fine and the artist an important one, making them wonderful example of Victorian American prints for the home. For the pair, $1,200
After Correggio. "Correggio's Magdalena." Boston: L. Prang & Co., 1867. 12 3/4 x 16 1/2. Chromolithograph. Mounted and with original label as issued. In period frame.
This lovely image was aimed at those who wanted to sophistication of European oils but who could not afford to purchase the real thing. This print, though, was one of the most expensive of those issued by Prang, selling for $10. This was still a good deal, though, as stated in The Aldine in 1869, "For ten dollars the working man may glorify his house with one of Correggio's masterpieces…" $475
Eastman Johnson. "The Barefoot Boy." Boston: L. Prang & Co., 1867-69. 12 3/4 x 9 3/4. Chromolithograph. In classic period frame.
Johnson's "The Barefoot Boy" is one of the most famous of all Prang's chromos, advertised by Prang as the personification of the American character: the boy "in homespun clothing, barefooted," symbolizing "that self-reliant aspect which characterizes the rural and backwoods children." Based by Eastman Johnson on John Greenleaf Whittier's poem, "The Barefoot Boy," the print was praised in magazines and books as the paradigm of the quality chromolithographs could display, and Prang claimed that it was "the most popular of all our publications." It took three months to make the twenty-six stones used to make this print and another five months to print the first run. For promotion, Prang provided free copies to the poet and painter and then quoted their replies in his advertisements. Whittier wrote, "It is a charming illustration of my little poem, and in every way satisfactory as a work of art"; and Johnson claimed that, "It strikes me as being one of the best chromolithographs I have ever seen." This print is not only a classic American genre image, but it is a wonderful example of the quality of prints published by the greatest of American chromolithograph publishers. $600
[Mother with children at bedtime.] Boston: J.H. Bufford, 1872. Subscriber print for The Christian At Work. Chromolithograph. 14 1/4 x 11. Mounted on board as issued. In fine period frame.
This image, of a mother with her two daughters, was issued as a bonus print for the subscribers of The Christian at Work. It is a fine example of chromolithography and of American genre art. $425
Felix Schlesinger. "A Friend In Need." Boston: L. Prang & Co., 1867. 16 1/2 x 13. Chromolithograph. Mounted on board with original label. Very good condition. Framed.
This print reflects Prang's own response to the success of "The Barefoot Boy." Based on a painting by a German artist, the European dress and setting would have appealed to the huge potential market of European immigrants, who might not respond to the American paradigm of Johnson's image. $425
Timoléon Marie Lobrichon. "First Lesson in Music." Boston: L. Prang & Co., 1870. Chromolithograph. 17 3/4 x 14 3/4. Mounted on board with original label. With two small nicks in surface; otherwise, very good condition. Framed in period frame.
Another European source was used for this charming print showing a young girl helping her sister(?) blow on a toy horn. It was based a painting by T.M. Lobrichon, a French genre artist known particularly for his images of children. It is a charming genre scene and one that is a fine example of Prang's output. $525
Charles Verlat. "Baby In Trouble." Boston: L. Prang & Co., 1869. Chromolithograph. 16 1/2 x 13 1/2. Mounted on board with original label. Very good condition.. Framed in period frame.
Michel Marie Charles Verlat (1824-1890) was a well-regarded Belgian painter and this image of a child and dog is delightful. $425
"Little Students." Boston: D. Lothrop & Co., 1872. Chromolithograph by Hencke & Scott. 13 x 16 1/4. Mounted on board, as issued. With original label and in period frame. Very good condition.
A charming example of a American post-Civil War chromolithograph. These prints, popularized by Louis Prang, were intended to allow middle class families to own art work that had the appearance of original paintings, but without the same cost. This print was issued by Daniel Lothrop, who in 1868 began to publish children's books, adding a children's magazine, Wide Awake, in 1875. This particular image is some sort of promotion for his books, which are clearly shown being read and sitting on the floor and table, each elaborate binding and title clearly depicted. An most unusual aspect of the print is the cover of the book in the bottom right has a promissory note for $1,000, referring to "The Thousand Dollar Prize Series." It is possible that this print was intended to be hung in book stores, or perhaps was given out to subscribers, but whatever its history, it is a charming example of American chromolithography. $425
E. Ackerman. [American Genre Scene.] Washington: Chas. H. Taylor and Co, 1873. Chromolithograph by Chas. H. Crosby, Boston. 21 1/2 x 14 1/2. Very good condition. In period frame.
A charming scene by the Boston chromolithographer, Charles H. Crosby. This image shows an idyllic lakeside scene with a family on a lake in a row boat, led by their father effecting a Washington-like stance, approaching the grandparents watching from the shore. Other happy figures complete this wonderful picture of American Victorian life. $650
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