Featured Antonio Paoletti Woodblock Print ? "Gamesters"

Hello, Could someone tell me if this looks like a woodblock print ? What is a woodblock print and how to you tell it is a woodblock print ? Thanks. I have researched this print titled "Gamesters" but not sure it is a woodblock print. Thank You

 

Not a woodblock. An engraving of some kind.

 

You should read this very informative and illustrated thread about various types of engraving and printing.

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/some-intaglio-print-textures-engravings-etchings-etc.20074/

 

I think this is a steel plate engraving. Steel plates, or steel plated copper or zinc plates were used for large run prints in art magazines, books and such. Because they're steel, they'll take the wear, but they rend to be rather crisp and cold with very evenly applied ink.

How big is it? Prints like this usually aren't worth a lot, but I find them very attractive and have several.

 

The print itself is 9" x 7". Lower right it says F. Holl Sculp and lower left it says A. Paoletti Pinx. It is a pretty cool piece. I like it. When I go to thrift stores and yard sales I buy stuff that I like. If I don't sell it It's ok cause I Like it.

 

I will do that thank you so much

 

9" x 7" sounds like a fairly usual size for a print from an art magazine.

 

Antonio Ermolao Paoletti (1843 - 1912) was the painter of the original image. His painting was engraved by Francis Holl (1815 – 1884) to be published in 1880 in The Art Journal

Here's a link to another copy (color added recently according to the seller).
http://www.antiqueprints.com/proddetail.php?prod=h6927

Here's an entry on The Art Journal:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_Journal

 

Thanks so much. Is it safe to say that since there is no color in my engraving that it was done around 1880?? The frame looks original!!

 

Yes. The print is as it would have appeared in the magazine (barring any condition issues it might have picked up in the last 100 years or so).

Condition does affect the price on these things as they are of a type and not uncommon.

 

Hey moreotherstuff, thanks for your time, you and the others on this site are very informative and I appreciate it.

 

I love both.....with and without color!!!

 

Odd that it would say 'Sculp'? 'Inc.' is the more usual abbreviation to designate the engraver.

 

In my experience I think Sculp is the most common.

Might have to do with whether or not it's a stand alone print rather than a copy of someone else's painting.

 

I'm most often looking at Italian things, which may also use use 'dip.' instead of 'pinx'. Here's a short list of common abbreviations used on prints. Seems a handful, including sculp., indicate the engraver.

 

Having it vary with nationality makes sense.