Period Oak Framed Black & White Engraving of Gen. Robert E. Lee, by J.A. O’Neill

Details

Description

Period Blackened Oak Framed Engraving of Gen. Robert E. Lee, Published by J.A. O’Neill, circa 1875–1885

A richly toned 19th-century … Read more Period Blackened Oak Framed Engraving of Gen. Robert E. Lee, Published by J.A. O’Neill, circa 1875–1885

A richly toned 19th-century portrait engraving of General Robert E. Lee, published by J.A. O’Neill, likely issued during the post-Reconstruction period as part of the broader Southern commemorative print tradition.

The image presents Lee in full Confederate uniform, depicted bust-length within an oval, with a composed and dignified expression. Executed in Black & White engraving, the portrait is rendered with soft gradations and atmospheric shading ideal for memorial portraiture of the period. The plate is captioned “GEN. R. E. LEE.” and bears the imprint: “Published by J. A. O’Neill.”

J.A. O’Neill was active in the 1870s–1880s and is known for publishing portraits of prominent Civil War figures. This work likely draws from one of the well-known photographic or painted sources circulated after the war, designed for parlor or institutional display during the rise of the “Lost Cause” memorial movement.

Medium:
Mezzotint or stipple engraving on paper
Publisher: J.A. O’Neill (inscribed in plate)
Circa 1875–1885

Dimensions:
• Blackened Oak Frame: 16” wide × 19” high
• Visible image area (in mat): 10” × 12”
• Sheet size: 16.25” wide × 13.5” high

Condition:
Paper evenly toned with scattered foxing and light tide marks to lower and outer margins, all outside the plate area. The impression remains strong, and the plate is clean and well-inked. Archivally matted and housed in its original dark-stained wood frame, which shows honest wear and period character.

Provenance and Cataloging Note:
The reverse of both the print and its frame are marked in matching hand-inscribed graphite with the number “1160,” indicating that this work was likely part of an organized institutional, archival, or museum collection. Such numeric cataloging systems were commonly employed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by libraries, historical societies, veterans’ organizations, and educational institutions to track framed artworks within their holdings. The presence of consistent numbering on both the artwork and its original wooden frame suggests deliberate inventory control and long-term custodianship, reinforcing the historical integrity of the piece and providing a potential avenue for further provenance research. See less