Not currently on display at the V&A

Virgin and Child with an angel

Print
1877 (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 the 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
TitleVirgin and Child with an angel (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Chromolithograph
Brief description
Virgin and Child with an Angel: copy after a painting by Fra Filippo Lippi
Physical description
The print is a copy of the painting by Fra Filippo Lippi of the Madonna and Child in the Uffizi, Florence. The image shows the Virgin with the Child supported by two angels - the one in the foreground looks out towards the viewer. There is a rocky landscape in the background.
Dimensions
  • In original frame height: 51cm
  • Width: 39cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 14/11/2000 by kl
Marks and inscriptions
  • To Her Majesty the Queen. Ryman and Co Printsellers, Publishers, Dealers in Watercolour, Drawings, Photographs. Picture Frame Makers, etc. 24 & 25 High Street Oxford, etc. (Label on the back of the frame)
  • Madonna and Child with Angels by Fra Filippo Lippi. Ansiglione. Published 1877 Storch and Kramer under the supervision of Wilhelm Greve (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)
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 subject is copied from the original tempera on panel by Fra Filippo Lippi in the Uffizi, Florence.
Historical context
The Arundel Society, founded in 1848 was named after Thomas Howard, second Earl of Arundel and Surrey (1585-1646), 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 the 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.137-1998

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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