The Best Portraits in Engraving

Name: The Best Portraits in Engraving
Author: Charles Sumner

By Charles Sumner

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About This Book

An essay surveys portrait engraving as a fine art, examining its technical relation to painting and arguing that engravings act as translations that convey drawing and expression through light and shade. The author reflects on personal consolation found in studying prints and describes major collections visited, while assessing the artistic merit of engraved portraits versus copied pictures. Discussions highlight the work of major masters and eminent engravers, the scarcity of truly great engraved portraits, and engraving's historical role in disseminating likenesses and preserving artists’ and notable figures’ images for wider audiences.

About the Author

Charles Sumner

Charles Sumner was an influential American politician and abolitionist, known for his strong advocacy for civil rights and social justice during the 19th century. A prominent figure in the U.S. Senate, he played a crucial role in the fight against slavery and was a leading voice for the Reconstruction efforts following the Civil War. His extensive writings, compiled in "Charles Sumner: His Complete Works," reflect his commitment to equality and his eloquent oratory skills. Sumner's legacy continues to resonate in discussions of civil rights and American political history.