Regency Era Hand-Colored Costume Print: Latin Gentleman, c.1804

Details

Description

….Gentleman of the World: Rare Hand-Colored Regency Costume Print, 1804
Exquisite William Miller Engraving from London's Prestigious Old Bond Street … Read more ….Gentleman of the World: Rare Hand-Colored Regency Costume Print, 1804
Exquisite William Miller Engraving from London's Prestigious Old Bond Street | Museum-Quality Preservation in Mid-Century Frame
A captivating hand-colored engraving depicting a Latin gentleman in traditional costume, published circa 1804 by William Miller at Old Bond Street, London. This exquisite print exemplifies the Regency era's fascination with exotic cultures and international dress, when such costume studies were highly prized by collectors and scholars alike.
Provenance
This exceptional print comes from a distinguished diplomatic family's estate in East Hampton, New York, recently offered at estate sale as the property changed hands. The piece's preservation and sophisticated framing reflect the cultivated taste and worldly perspective characteristic of diplomatic households, where such historical works were appreciated both for their aesthetic merit and cultural significance. Its presence in such a collection speaks to its quality and the discerning eye of its former custodians.
Historical Context
The early 19th century witnessed an explosion of interest in ethnographic and costume studies, as travel, trade, and exploration expanded European knowledge of the wider world. Prints like this served both decorative and educational purposes, offering glimpses into the dress, customs, and cultures of distant lands. Published during the height of the Regency period, when exoticism and romantic fascination with foreign cultures reached its zenith, these hand-colored engravings were treasured additions to the libraries and drawing rooms of fashionable society.
Old Bond Street was London's epicenter of luxury retail and high-quality print publishing, making William Miller's establishment a distinguished address that guaranteed both artistic excellence and cultural refinement.
The Art of Hand-Coloring
This print showcases the meticulous craft of hand-coloring, a painstaking process where skilled artisans applied watercolor pigments individually to each impression after printing. Unlike modern mechanical reproduction, each hand-colored print is unique, with subtle variations in hue and application that give the work its distinctive character and charm. The vibrant colors have been carefully chosen to capture the richness and authenticity of traditional Latin costume, from the elaborate fabrics to intricate accessories.
The technique required exceptional skill and artistic judgment, as colorists worked from reference materials to ensure accuracy while maintaining aesthetic balance. The survival of such vivid coloration over more than two centuries speaks to the quality of the original materials and the care with which this piece has been preserved.
Presentation
Beautifully housed in what appears to be a mid-century custom frame, this print benefits from thoughtful preservation that respects both its historical significance and visual appeal. The frame's clean lines and quality construction complement the Regency-era artwork while offering modern protection and display versatility.
Specifications
Dimensions: 15" H x 13" W (framed)
Publisher: William Miller, Old Bond Street, London
Date: Circa 1804
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Subject: Latin gentleman in traditional costume
Frame: Custom mid-century frame
Provenance: Diplomatic family estate, East Hampton, New York
Condition: Very good - colors remain vibrant with minimal age-related wear, a testament to careful preservation over 220+ years
Investment & Collectibility
Early 19th-century hand-colored prints from prestigious London publishers are increasingly sought after by collectors of:

Regency and Georgian-era art
Ethnographic and costume studies
Early travel and exploration imagery
British printmaking
Decorative historical prints

The combination of age, subject matter, prestigious publisher location, meticulous hand-coloring, documented provenance, and excellent condition makes this an exceptional example of its genre.

A rare opportunity to acquire an authentic piece of Regency-era artistry in remarkable condition with distinguished provenance—perfect for collectors of early ethnographic prints, students of costume history, or anyone seeking to add genuine historical character and worldly sophistication to their collection. The Old Bond Street provenance and diplomatic estate history add significant cachet to this already distinguished work.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses. Sonnet 4.5 See less