C. 1843 MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE FRENCH REVOLUTION STEEL ENGRAVING BY W.H. MOTE, 9IN x 11IN (23cm x 28cm)

Inventory #: 26-733 - $400.00

Offered here is a striking, 19th-century steel-engraved portrait of Maximilien Robespierre (1758–1794), one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the French Revolution, engraved by noted British portrait engraver William Henry Mote (1803–1871) and published in London by The London Printing and Publishing Company, circa 1843. The portrait presents Robespierre formally seated in the elegant late-18th-century manner, his powdered hair, elaborate cravat and dark double-breasted coat rendered with extraordinary precision. Particularly impressive is the remarkable density of the engraving: extremely fine lines, cross-hatching and stippled passages model the face, hair, clothing and deep background with exceptional detail. The portrait is surrounded by an elaborate Gothic Revival / arabesque ornamental border, giving the complete sheet considerably greater decorative presence than a conventional bookplate portrait. Beneath the image appears the engraved identification “ROBESPIERRE,” while immediately above is the attribution “Engraved by W.H. Mote.” The lower portion retains the publisher's imprint: THE LONDON PRINTING AND PUBLISHING COMPANY. Presented under glass with a handsome neutral mat in a substantial warm-toned wood frame, the work has a distinguished library or study aesthetic particularly suited to a traditional interior, executive office, European-inspired library, historical collection or collected gallery wall. With frame, it measures 9 inches x 11 inches. This piece was acquired from a Metro Washington DC estate. FREE SHIPPING FOR THIS PIECE WITH INSURANCE WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
William Henry Mote was an accomplished 19th-century English engraver particularly recognized for his finely executed historical and portrait subjects. This Robespierre portrait is associated with the Victorian publication Historical Sketches of Statesmen and dates to approximately 1843.