Superb portrait of a Great Dane, engraved c1852.

by Goldsmith, Oliver

Superb Great Dane antique print for Goldsmith's Animated nature, c1852.

Original hand-coloured steel engraving of fine quality for Goldsmith’s “A History of the Earth and Animated Nature”, published in London c1852 by A. Fullarton & Company. The custom of colouring the animal and leaving the background uncoloured results in very striking subjects... but then Great Danes always have quite an imposing presence..

Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774) had intended to translate Pliny’s ‘Natural History’ but decided instead to compile his own work on all that was known about the planet and earth. Goldsmith's eight-volume work was published in London the year he died. It proved to be so popular with its beautiful hand-coloured illustrations that it has been re-issued since with the engraved illustrations altered to fit this larger sized publication. The beautiful hand-coloured engravings of groups of animals and birds have always been particularly prized.

Page size 16 x 25 cm (6.5 x 9.75 inches). To the border measure 14 x 21.5 cm (8½ x 6 inches).