Alexander and Constantine with Helena, 1842, Paper

Details

Description

An original antique lithograph with hand coloring, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, … Read more An original antique lithograph with hand coloring, from the Galleria Universale di Tutti i Popoli del Mondo (Venice, Giuseppe Antonelli, 1842). The upper image shows, at left, a large bust in profile of a young man with thick wavy hair, tinted in gold and olive, set on the ground among grasses. At right a youthful figure on a round base wears a gold diadem, a pink tunic with gold borders, a blue mantle and pink boots, holding a globe in one hand and raising a small cross in the other. The lower image shows the half length figures of a crowned bearded man and a crowned woman, both in jeweled robes of gold, crimson and blue, with a tall gold cross held up between them with two crossbars, set with red stones and sprouting small leaves. The top margin is lettered Tom IV at upper left, "GRECIA" at center and Tav 137 at upper right. The captions read "Alessandro" (Alexander), "Costantino" (Constantine) and "Costantino ed Elena cristiani" (Constantine and Helena, Christians). The plate moves from classical antiquity to the Christian empire of Constantinople. Constantine the Great founded the city that bore his name, and his mother Helena is credited by tradition with finding the True Cross in Jerusalem. The gold and crimson of the lower figures give the plate the look of an icon, a strong choice for a collection of Byzantine or religious subjects. Condition: Light wear to the bottom left and bottom right corners; minor nicks to the left edge. Age toning; handling soiling along the edges and foxing with some brown staining in the margins. Printed image clean. This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed. See less