Woman with Lilies, Purity ~ Antique Print

Beautiful, detailed steel engraving from the picture by Henry Nelson O'Neill.

Here we see a fine specimen of "fancy" portraiture which is not unlike some of the portraits of the Italian painters of the Titian and Tintoretto schools. The head is noble in expression, the features handsome rather than beautiful, the pose of the figure easy and not undignified, the drapery simple, and pictorially arranged. The long, flowing hair is twirled with wreaths of "forget-me-not," and in her left hand she holds a sceptre of lilies, emblematic of "purity." The conception of the figure is bold, yet graceful; still, we seem at a loss to find a motive for such a fixed, earnest gaze. With the face turned towards us, we might consider the individual as conversing with the spectator, either by look or by word; but seen in profile, with the figure placed in an open landscape, and elevated much above it, there is clearly nothing upon which those eyes could rest so intently but the sky.

Printed on heavyweight ivory/cream stock. Reverse side is blank.

Title (printed below image): Purity

Publication: The Art Journal

Publication Year: 1864

Publisher: London: Virtue & Co., Ltd.

Approximate Page Size (in inches): 9 x 12.75

Approximate Image Size (in inches): 8 x 9.5

Condition: Excellent.

Library blind stamp* in margin goes partially into image area, but does not detract from the beauty of this print.

*blind stamp: A colorless impression that is embossed on paper.