Not currently on display at the V&A

The Prophet Jeremiah

Print
1871 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This is a type of print called a chromolithograph, another word for a colour lithograph and often used to describe reproductive prints. A chromolithograph is produced by applying the design to be printed onto a stone with a greasy chalk. The surface of the stone is then moistened. As grease and water do not combine, the parts already drawn upon repel the water and the untouched parts absorb it. Greasy ink is passed over the surface. The wet parts reject the ink while the greasy parts attract it. The paper on which the image is to be printed is placed on this surface and together they are passed through a press. One stone is used for each colour.

This print was produced for the Arundel Society. The subjects, to be reproduced for subscribers to the Society were chosen by a council who favoured Italian decorative and narrative fresco cycles of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Artists were employed to copy these works of art. The watercolours they produced were examined and selected by the council and then forwarded to the printers.

Ownership & Use
Subscribers to the Arundel Society were drawn from many walks of life. By the time of the Society's eventual closure in 1897 over 200,000 chromolithographs had been circulated. Regular members would have been in possession of a large number of prints and for this reason many examples found their way into school rooms, churches and village halls where they can still be found today.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Prophet Jeremiah (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Chromolithograph
Brief description
The Prophet Jeremiah: copy after the fresco in the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo; chromolithograph; 1871
Physical description
The print is from Michelangelo's fresco of the Prophet Jeremiah in the Sistine Chapel, Rome. The image shows the Prophet seated in a niche. Behind him are two figures. There is a plaque with the name 'Jeremiah' below the Prophet's feet.
Dimensions
  • In original frame height: 57cm
  • Width: 46.5cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 14/11/2000 by kl
Marks and inscriptions
  • JEREMIAH (Below the plinth on which the Prophet is seated)
  • Jeremiah by Michelangelo. Painted by Mariannecci and published 1871 by Storch and Kramer under direction of Professor L Gruner. (Label on the back of the frame)
Gallery label
  • British Galleries: ARUNDEL SOCIETY PRINTS
    These chromolithographs are copies of paintings by Italian Renaissance masters. They were produced for the Arundel Society, which was founded in 1848 to promote a greater knowledge of art through the publication of literary works and reproductions which could be purchased by its members. By 1866 the Society had well over a thousand members who bought this type of print as wall decoration for both secular and religious settings.(27/03/2003)
  • Prophet Jeremiah , Michelangelo Buonarotti (Sistine Chapel, Vatican) Published 1871 by Storch and Kramer, Berlin Chromolithograph in a contemporary frame Lent by Miss Helen Mitchell This chromolithograph of Michelangelo's 'Jeremiah' was printed by the German firm of Storch and Kramer, who produced much of the Society's work. The adoption of chromolithography as the Society's principal method of publishing works of art was an immense success and membership increased by more than two hundred between 1857 and 1858. The Society had introduced two classes of publication - annual publications which were automatically sent to subscribers and occasional publications which were sold separately at lower prices to members and higher prices to non-members.
Credit line
Given by Miss Helen Mitchell
Object history
This print belonged to the donor's father who was a vicar (possibly Canon J.T. Mitchell of St Bridget's Church in Liverpool).

The original fresco from which this copy is taken is in the Sistine Chapel, Vactican, Rome.
Historical context
The Arundel Society, founded in 1848 was named after Thomas Howard, second Earl of Arundel and Surrey (1548-1646), the great connoisseur and collector. Its aim was to promote a greater knowledge of art through the publication of literary works and reproductions of works of art. Italian decorative and narrative fresco cycles of the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries predominated but classical art was included in the plans from the outset and some examples of the work of Northern European artists were added later.

The subjects were selected by a Council consisting of people influential in the art world, including John Ruskin, the renowned author and art critic. The emphasis, in keeping with wider current thinking, was on providing instruction rather than enjoyment. The prospectus issued in 1849 stated that 'in their execution, that manner will be preferred which most truthfully expresses the original, rather than that which presents the greatest attraction to the eye'.

By the time of the Society's closure in 1897 over two hundred chromolithographs had been circulated. Regular members would have been in possession of a large number of prints and for this reason many examples found their way into school rooms, churches and village halls.
Subject depicted
Summary
Object Type
This is a type of print called a chromolithograph, another word for a colour lithograph and often used to describe reproductive prints. A chromolithograph is produced by applying the design to be printed onto a stone with a greasy chalk. The surface of the stone is then moistened. As grease and water do not combine, the parts already drawn upon repel the water and the untouched parts absorb it. Greasy ink is passed over the surface. The wet parts reject the ink while the greasy parts attract it. The paper on which the image is to be printed is placed on this surface and together they are passed through a press. One stone is used for each colour.

This print was produced for the Arundel Society. The subjects, to be reproduced for subscribers to the Society were chosen by a council who favoured Italian decorative and narrative fresco cycles of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Artists were employed to copy these works of art. The watercolours they produced were examined and selected by the council and then forwarded to the printers.

Ownership & Use
Subscribers to the Arundel Society were drawn from many walks of life. By the time of the Society's eventual closure in 1897 over 200,000 chromolithographs had been circulated. Regular members would have been in possession of a large number of prints and for this reason many examples found their way into school rooms, churches and village halls where they can still be found today.
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
'A Study of the Arundel Society 1848-1897'; Tanya Ledger; PhD thesis; St Hilda's College, Oxford; 1978
Collection
Accession number
E.138-1998

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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