Genuine etching or modern reproduction?

Hello friends,

I have this etching I just bought simply because I like it. It seems to be of William Woollett and published by John Boydell in 1761.

Platemark is clearly visible and everything lines up with known pieces EXCEPT the paper it seems to me.

Could anyone tell me if this seem to be an original etching or a very much later reproduction or what it is that I am looking at here? Thank you very much in advance.

 

Adding some more closeups here.

 

Are U a New Member , just found This SITE , Look Here 2nd..!

 

Thank you komokwa. Reading over that now

 

not bad for a new member........ Welcome !

 

Richard Wilson painted it, so an engraving of a painting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Wilson_(painter)

The title is Niobe. In Greek mythology she bragged that she had more children than Leto, the mother of Apollo & Artemis. It didn't end well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Destruction_of_the_Children_of_Niobe

Boydell is the publisher; Woollett was the engraver.

 

Here's a copy in the collection of the RA for comparison.

Debora

 

Thank you Debora and Bronwen. It certainly looks to be genuine but I was worried about the paper (have a look up at the close ups I posted if you wish) and am thinking it perhaps look a bit modern or even "canvas-like" for it to be genuinely from 1761? Do you agree with that or not?

 

At least on the other originals I have found (like the one you posted Debora) the sheet itself looks flatter and without the noticeable "ridges" you can see in mine. Am I talking a lot of nonsense here or what am I doing?

 

I think the paper of yours looks very much like that used for the print in the Boston Museum of Art:

https://blanton.emuseum.com/objects/3462/the-destruction-of-niobes-children-after-richard-wilson#

 

Some interesting bits here:

https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/725480

 

Not sure what this means. The word that comes to mind for the texture is 'pebbly'.

 

Not an area I'm knowledgeable about but... If it were genuine period, I'd expect it to be printed on laid paper. Not embossed paper with a "pebble" pattern.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laid_paper

Debora

 

Yes, sorry. Pebbly is a much better word!

But you think this seem to be a genuine 1761 etching then?

 

Yes I agree with you. But mine doesn't quite resemble laid paper for me so I am a little thrown off by that.

 

I'm no expert, but I can say yours compares very well with authentic examples we have found in museums. We have members who are much more knowledgeable; I hope they will also respond.

May I ask in what country did you find it?

 

I found it in Norway (where I live)

I don't know much about this and paid 150 dollars for it because I liked the scene. Is it an exciting find or?

 

If we assume it is genuine, we still don't know how many were made, whether demand was great enough for Boydell to produce multiple editions. My amateur opinion is that your print is old. I do not know if it is rare.