After B. Foster, Rhine View, 1865, Engraving

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This antique steel engraving of basel, lettered with the old english spelling "basle", shows the swiss city seen across the … Read more This antique steel engraving of basel, lettered with the old english spelling "basle", shows the swiss city seen across the rhine, with the long bridge spanning the river, the twin spires of the minster above the old town and fishermen working from punts in the foreground. It was published by william mackenzie of london, edinburgh and glasgow in the middle decades of the nineteenth century. Basel stands at the point where the rhine turns north and becomes navigable toward germany and france, and for travellers of the period it was the gateway between switzerland and the rhine valley. The engraving shows the mittlere brücke, for centuries the only bridge across the river here, with the terraced houses of grossbasel rising steeply above the bank and the red sandstone minster crowning the hill. The fishermen in their flat boats give the scene a quiet, everyday character, and the broad sky balances the busy line of buildings. The plate carries the imprint of william mackenzie, london, edinburgh and glasgow, a scottish publisher known for illustrated subscription books issued in parts from the middle of the nineteenth century. The plate itself carries no date, and the book in which it appeared has not been identified with certainty, so it is dated here to circa 1865, in line with mackenzie's steel engraved topographical plates of the 1860s and 1870s. The drawing credit at lower left appears to read b. Foster; the reading is not certain, and the plate is therefore not attributed to a named artist as a matter of fact. The engraver's name at lower right appears to read e. I. Roberts, probably edward john roberts, a london steel engraver, although this reading is also doubtful. The print is an uncoloured steel engraving with clear, fine line work and a good range of tone in the water and sky. A view of basle from this series makes a natural companion to the german rhine towns issued by the same publisher, and it will interest collectors of swiss topography and of early tourism. It would look well framed in a study, a hallway or a guest room, alone or in a group of river views. The sheet is in good condition for its age, with toning, small spots, light staining and a crease at the upper right corner confined to the margins; the image itself is clean. This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed. See less