19th Century Henry Thomas Greenhead Signed Mezzotint Portrait of Elizabeth, Countess Grosvenor, Framed

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Elizabeth, Countess Grosvenor, an impressive late-Victorian portrait mezzotint engraved by British printmaker Henry Thomas Greenhead (1849–1926) after the celebrated portrait … Read more Elizabeth, Countess Grosvenor, an impressive late-Victorian portrait mezzotint engraved by British printmaker Henry Thomas Greenhead (1849–1926) after the celebrated portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769–1830).

Published in London on October 1, 1891 by Henry Graves & Co., 6 Pall Mall, publishers to Queen Victoria and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The portrait depicts Lady Elizabeth Leveson-Gower (1797–1891), later Marchioness of Westminster, after Lawrence’s elegant portrait of the sitter. Greenhead translates Lawrence’s highly finished portrait into the rich tonal language of mezzotint, with particularly beautiful handling of the face, hair and fabric.

The lower margin bears a pencil signature reading “H. T. Greenhead” and an embossed Printsellers’ Association blind stamp, characteristics associated with proof impressions issued through the late-19th-century British fine-art print trade. The original printed publication line remains visible beneath the image and identifies Greenhead, Lawrence, Henry Graves & Co., the Pall Mall address and the 1891 publication date.

Presented under glass with a broad period-style mat in a substantial gilt wood frame measuring approximately 24 × 28.5 inches overall. The reverse retains old dealer/framer identification and an early biographical clipping identifying Lady Grosvenor and Lawrence’s portrait, wonderful surviving evidence of the picture’s earlier history.

The print and presentation show age appropriate to a work of this period, including toning, scattered foxing/discoloration and wear to the frame. These have been left untouched rather than restored. Please review photographs closely for condition.

A particularly compelling example of late-Victorian portrait printmaking, combining a celebrated Regency portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence with Greenhead’s mezzotint engraving, Henry Graves & Co. publication history, pencil signature, Printsellers’ Association blind stamp and surviving period provenance material.

Image approximately 17 × 22 inches visible.
Frame approximately 32× 37.75 inches.
Published London, 1891. See less