Print thumbnail 1
Print thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level H , Case SF, Shelf 20

Print

1793 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a so-called transfigurative print in its original frame. It is made up of two oval stipple prints of half-length female figures, one printed in red, the other in black, both cut into horizontal strips and framed in such a way that pulling up or pushing down on the ring fixing at the top of the carved fruitwood frame, causes either one or other to be displayed. The mount is verre eglomisé with a dark blue background decorated in gold. The gold decorations are an oval border around the aperture and a single stylised flower in each corner.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Stipple engraving
Brief description
Transfigurative print made up of two oval stipple prints of half-length female figures, one printed in red, the other in black, Angelica Kauffman, England, 1793
Physical description
Transfigurative print in original frame. Two oval stipple prints of half-length female figures, one printed in red, the other in black, both cut into horizontal strips. This object is made up of two oval stipple prints of half-length female figures, one printed in red, the other in black, both cut into horizontal strips and framed in such a way that pulling up or pushing down on the ring fixing at the top of the carved fruitwood frame, causes either one or other to be displayed. The image printed in red is lettered A. Kauffman pinxt/ G. Scorodoomoff sculp. The mount is verre eglomisé with a dark blue background decorated in gold. The gold decorations are an oval border around the aperture and a single stylised flower in each corner.
Dimensions
  • Frame height: 27.5cm
  • Frame width: 24.6cm
  • Print size as seen behind oval frame height: 16.5cm
  • Print size as seen behind oval frame width: 12.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'A. Kauffman pinxt / G. Scorodoomoff sculp' (Maker's identification; On red coloured print; printed; ink)
  • DIRECTIONS for Changing HITCHCOCK's Metamorphoses or Transfigurative PRINTS SANCTIONED By HIS MAJESTY's ROYAL LETTERS PATENT, Bearing date February 27th. 1793. Let the Print be hung up a little above the Eye, that is between six or seven feet from the floor to the bottom of the frame, taking care to drive the Hook or the Nail very fast in the Wall, and if the Print can be conveniently fixed opposite the Window it will generally thew to more Advantage as in some position the ray of Light may chance to form a kind of shadow from the small projection in each division of the Print, but this may be easily avoided by first trying the different sides of the Room, before the Print is fixed for good. When you wish to change the subject, give the frame a slight pull downwards taking care not to scratch the gold, therefore the best place to touch the frame will be to take hold of each sides as near the back as possible with the thumb and fore fingers, by which means the front of the frame will avoid being soiled, as would be the case by much friction. When you change the Print back again you have nothing more to do that to give a gentle shove Up again, and let that always remain as the front picture. If you wish to exhibit the same by candle light, be particular to hold the candle in a direct line with the print and as near as you please, otherwise the light will form a disagreeable Shadow, and to prevent the frame soiled, as it would be more particularly by being took down often from the wall, it will be better to choose a hook or broad headed nail that will not slip the Ring, whereby the print remain a fixture and shifted or exhibited at pleasure. Orders will be received by the Patentee at No.31, Wellclose Square, where specimens may be seen and the work of the most esteemed Artists, elegantly finished, for five to twenty Guineas per pair. (Label on the reverse of the print)
Credit line
Purchased through the Julie and Robert Breckman Print Fund
Subjects depicted
Summary
This is a so-called transfigurative print in its original frame. It is made up of two oval stipple prints of half-length female figures, one printed in red, the other in black, both cut into horizontal strips and framed in such a way that pulling up or pushing down on the ring fixing at the top of the carved fruitwood frame, causes either one or other to be displayed. The mount is verre eglomisé with a dark blue background decorated in gold. The gold decorations are an oval border around the aperture and a single stylised flower in each corner.
Collection
Accession number
E.832-2002

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 15, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest