Description: Henry Alken Popular Song Illustration Print Hand Coloured 1822 Approximate Dimensions Paper sheet: 274mm x 237mm (10.8" x 9.3") Condition Fine with marks indicative of both age and usage. Description This hand-coloured illustration print by Henry Alken features a series of vibrant and theatrical scenes, each depicting characters and themes associated with popular songs from the early 19th century. The layout is divided into multiple vignettes, all enclosed within a bordered space and carefully filled with vivid hand-applied watercolours. The upper left corner showcases a dramatic scene captioned “When in death I shall calmly recline,” with a suspended figure and a well-dressed man gesturing dramatically. To the upper right, the illustration titled “Oh slumber my darling” portrays a couple seated in a dishevelled interior, dressed in period attire, with objects scattered around, including an overturned table. The upper centre of the print features a humorous portrait of a man, labelled “When absent from her,” with exaggerated facial expressions, wearing a yellow waistcoat and dark coat. In the lower left corner, a soldier dressed in an elaborate red and blue uniform, with a feathered hat, is depicted tumbling forward amid a battle scene, dropping his sword. The caption for this vignette reads “The Soldier tired of wars alarms.” On the bottom centre, “Fair Ellen like a lily grew” shows a lady in a white gown with a yellow ribbon, holding a blue object, likely a fan, standing gracefully. Finally, at the lower right, the print illustrates a figure in striped trousers and a loose shirt, held in chains, with the caption “Sons of Freedom hear my story,” evoking themes of folk and freedom. This print is rendered in strong, bold outlines with vivid watercolours, including red, blue, yellow, purple, and brown. The lively character of each scene reflects the humour and spirit of the era’s popular songs and theatrical performances. Published by Thomas McLean in 1822, the print captures the satirical style characteristic of early 19th-century British narrative art. The print’s approximate dimensions make it suitable for framing as a historical decorative piece or for display in a collection of 19th-century art. Item SpecificsAge: 1822Manufacturer: Thomas McLean, Haymarket, LondonMaterial: Hand-coloured print on paperDimensions: 274mm x 237mm (10.8" x 9.3") Henry Alken Hand Coloured Print Popular Songs Illustration 1822
Price: 25 GBP
Location: Salisbury
End Time: 2025-02-12T13:44:00.000Z
Shipping Cost: 19.14 GBP
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Return postage will be paid by: Buyer
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 30 days
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Originality: Original
Type: Print
Year of Production: 1826
Date of Creation: Antique (Pre-1900)
Style: Cartoon
Theme: Music
Material: Etching
Production Technique: Engraving
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Subject: Georgian Caricature
Time Period Produced: 1800-1849
