Accession number
PML 76914.2
Creator
Swain, Joseph, 1820-1909, engraver.
Published
[London], [1866?]
Credit line
Gift of John M. Crawford, Jr., 1975.
Notes
Title from Needham.
Proof impression of a wood engraving by Joseph Swain after Edward Burne-Jones for William Morris's projected edition of his The earthly paradise, intended to be published with illustrations by Edward Burne-Jones; Morris began his work on the project circa 1864, ultimately abandoning his plans for the book in 1867.
"From the account of George Wardle ... we know that some of the 'Cupid and Psyche' illustrations 'were given at first to "the trade" to be cut but the result was so unsatisfactory that Morris tried to get the cutting done by un-professional hands.' The present proof is apparently the only one known that can be correlated with this 'professional' experiment, for it is signed 'Swain sc.' Joseph Swain was a leading wood engraver of the 1860s, who rendered Burne-Jones's drawing in precisely the accurate conventional manner that Morris was trying to supersede."--Needham.
Proof impression of a wood engraving by Joseph Swain after Edward Burne-Jones for William Morris's projected edition of his The earthly paradise, intended to be published with illustrations by Edward Burne-Jones; Morris began his work on the project circa 1864, ultimately abandoning his plans for the book in 1867.
"From the account of George Wardle ... we know that some of the 'Cupid and Psyche' illustrations 'were given at first to "the trade" to be cut but the result was so unsatisfactory that Morris tried to get the cutting done by un-professional hands.' The present proof is apparently the only one known that can be correlated with this 'professional' experiment, for it is signed 'Swain sc.' Joseph Swain was a leading wood engraver of the 1860s, who rendered Burne-Jones's drawing in precisely the accurate conventional manner that Morris was trying to supersede."--Needham.
Description
1 print : wood engraving ; image: 163 x 118 mm; sheet: 194 x 151 mm
Inscriptions/Markings
In pencil on verso: a woodcut for Cupid & Psyche never used.
Provenance
John M. Crawford, Jr.
Summary
Psyche is shown climbing a stair of rock on her hands and knees at left; Pan squats above her at right, gazing into her face as he places one hand on her head.
Classification
Catalog link
Department