After Tischbein, Allegorical Portrait Dedicated to Elise Charlotte, 1790, Print

Details

Description

Reward of Virtue – Allegorical Portrait Dedicated to Elise Charlotte, c.1790 This elegant allegorical engraving from the late 18th century … Read more Reward of Virtue – Allegorical Portrait Dedicated to Elise Charlotte, c.1790 This elegant allegorical engraving from the late 18th century depicts a half-draped young woman adorned with a floral wreath, titled Lohn der Tugend or The Reward of Virtue. Executed with exceptional detail and finesse, the work celebrates moral virtue, beauty, and nobility through the classical symbolism of a woman presenting a richly ornamented urn entwined with garlands. The sitter is identified as a friend of Elise Charlotte, Princess of Hesse-Homburg and Countess of Solms-Laubach, to whom this print is respectfully dedicated. The portrait is presented within an oval medallion, a popular neoclassical framing device that evokes both intimacy and timelessness. The young woman’s gaze is directed slightly upward, her expression calm and noble. She is crowned with a lush garland of roses and wildflowers, and her partially exposed form is draped in classical robes, blending idealized beauty with the sensibility of the Enlightenment era. The urn she presents is elaborately decorated with reliefs and floral elements, emphasizing the allegorical theme of honor and remembrance. The print was engraved in Stuttgart by Johann Leibold, a noted engraver and publisher, after a painting by artist Tischbein, court painter to the Elector of Hesse. Tischbein’s refined classicist style is evident in the graceful handling of anatomy, fabric, and the symbolic elements surrounding the sitter. The fine hatching, subtle shading, and delicate handling of the skin tones show Leibold’s skill as an engraver, typical of high-quality German portrait prints of the late 1700s. The inscription in German at the bottom of the plate translates to: The reward of virtue – friend of the good and beautiful Elise Charlotte, born Princess of Hesse-Homburg, married Countess of Solms-Laubach. It was published by the Industrielle Comptoir in Hildburghausen, a respected late 18th-century German publishing house. Condition: Good condition overall. The impression is crisp and clean with excellent tonal contrast and detail throughout the engraved surface. Minor foxing and slight toning appear, but mostly in the outer margins, particularly at the top. The sheet is professionally mounted within a period-style mat. No tears or restoration detected. Framing tip: This print would benefit from being displayed in a classic gold or black wooden frame with an archival-quality mount that preserves its neoclassical oval form. Consider using UV-protective glass to safeguard the fine hatching and ensure long-term conservation. Its refined elegance and aristocratic dedication make it suitable for traditional or historic interior settings. Condition: Fair/good, image trimmed and mounted. Shows some wear and soiling, blank verso. Please study image carefully. Date: circa 1790 Overall size: 32 x 42 cm. Image size: 28.5 x 32.5 cm. See less