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Thursday, 24 July 2025

Joseph Burn Smeeton, “Head Study”, mid-1800s, after Correggio

Joseph Burn Smeeton (aka Joseph Burn-Smeeton) (1815–1890; fl.1840–1879)—famous as an English wood engraver working in Paris with Auguste Tilly (1840–1898) as the engraving business, Smeeton and Tilly.

“Head Study” (descriptive title only), mid-1800s, wood-engraving after a chalk drawing by Antonio Correggio (aka Antonio Allegri; Antonio Allegri da Correggio) (1489–1534)—see a reproduction of Correggio’s drawing illustrating the frontispiece to Allen W Seaby’s (1921) “Drawing for Art Students and Illustrators” (https://archive.org/details/drawing-for-art-students-and-illustrators-by-allen-w.-seaby/page/n7/mode/2up)—with a pencil inscribed dedication.

Wood-engraving printed in black on tissue-thin washi paper with a pencil-signed dedication by the artist to his friend, Gilbert, backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 40.6 x 31.5 cm.

Inscribed in pencil: (lower right) “à l’ami Gilbert/ Souvenir Amical/ J Burn Smeeton” (to friend Gilbert/ Friendly Remembrance/ J Burn Smeeton).

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression with generously wide margins. There are small holes and breaks in the margin, otherwise the sheet is in a good condition with no folds, abrasions or significant stains.

I am selling this incredibly fine wood-engraving that could easily be mistaken for a lithograph (before close inspection reveals the telltale burin marks), for AU$256 (approximately US$168.31, EUR 143.30, or GBP 124.73), with worldwide express shipping included. Please note that any applicable import duties are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in purchasing this pencil-signed tour de force of engraving that is so rare I have been unable to find another copy—perhaps it was a showpiece of skill for his friend, Gilbert? —please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.












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