Description: "LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI" ORIGINAL 1890s ETCHING by HENRY MACBETH RAEBURN after the Pre-Raphaelite painting by JOHN WILLIAM WATERHOUSE R.A. (1849-1917) Inscribed bottom left and right corners, title caption below the image centre. CONTEXT: This work is probably one of Waterhouse's most famous images. Generally translated into English as 'The Beautiful Woman Without Mercy,' the scene depicts a woman ensnaring a knight in the forest, drawing him towards her with her hair. The knight, totally enraptured by her beauty stares into her eyes hopelessly. As Peter Trippi, world expert on Waterhouse, points out in his catalog rèsumè: "This picture owes its intensity not only to the seductive gaze from the lady's eye, but also the figures' expressive juxtaposition." The work was probably inspired by "La Belle Dame sans Merci" a ballad produced by the English poet John Keats in 1819. The title was derived from the title of a 15th-century poem by Alain Chartier called La Belle Dame sans Mercy. Considered an English classic, the poem is an example of Keats' poetic preoccupation with love and death. THE ENGRAVER: Henry Macbeth-Raeburn (1860-1947) , painter and engraver, was the son of the portrait painter Norman Macbeth (1821-1888). His siblings included the painters Norman (1821-1888) and James (1847-1891), and Allan Macbeth (1856-1910), a noted organist, choirmaster and principal of the Glasgow College of Music. Henry added Raeburn to his name to distinguish himself from the other painters in his family. He began his career in Edinburgh, but later moved to London. He exhibited 17 works at the Royal Academy, 4 at the New Water-Colour Society and one at the Royal Society of British Artists in Suffolk Street, London. CONDITION: Has been carefully trimmed outide the image line and neatly laid down on a thick piece of card. Well printed in a dark blue-ish tone on thick wove paper. A nice strong clear impression of this stunning image. Published in the prestigious "Art Journal" in the 1890s. DIMENSIONS: Size of main engraved image area is 24.5 x 18.5 centimetres. Adequate blank margins beyond, giving a total sheet size of 30 x 21.5 centimetres. Blank to reverse. ***VERY SCARCE*** ***ALL OF MY ITEMS ARE SENT VIA TRACKED ROYAL MAIL SERVICE, FOR EVERYBODY'S PEACE OF MIND, BOTH TO UK AND WORLDWIDE. I AM HAPPY TO COMBINE SHIPPING COSTS IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE IN MY LISTINGS WHICH CATCHES YOUR EYE!
Price: 77 GBP
Location: Wadhurst
End Time: 2025-01-04T12:17:37.000Z
Shipping Cost: 15.23 GBP
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Item Specifics
Return postage will be paid by: Buyer
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 14 days
Artist: J.W.Waterhouse -
Originality: Original
Signed By: Henry Macbeth Raeburn
Image Orientation: Portrait
Size: Small
Signed: Yes
Date of Creation: Antique (Pre-1900)
Period: Victorian (1830-1900)
Title: La belle dame sans merci
Material: Paper
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Region of Origin: United Kingdom
Print Surface: Paper
Subject: Literary, Mythology
Type: Print
Year of Production: 1890s
Medium: Etching
Theme: Biblical
Style: Pre-Raphaelite
Production Technique: Etching
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Time Period Produced: 1850-1899
