MARYS AT THE SEPULCHRE 1791 William Sharp - Robert Smirke ANTIQUE ETCHING

Original 1791 14 1/4 inch x 18 1/4 inch Etching and Engraving titled THE MARYS AT THE SEPULCHRE

Three women in attitudes of terror, one to left, covering her face, another with one arm raised in front of her, supporting the third who has fallen on one knee, looking into the open mouth of a rock tomb, where an Angel sits, gesturing towards the discarded burial cloths and pointing upwards as he tells them that Jesus as risen.

Print by William Sharp (1749 - 1824). Engraver. Son of a gunmaker in Haydon Yard, Minories, London; apprenticed to Barak Longmate, heraldic engraver; worked as a writing engraver in Bartholomew Lane and from 1771, studied at the Royal Academy Schools. Became one of the most distinguished British line engravers.

After the painting by Robert Smirke (1752 - 1845). Robert Smirke RA was an English painter and illustrator, specialising in small paintings showing subjects taken from literature. He was a member of the Royal Academy.

Published by Thomas Macklin (1752/3 – 1800), Poets Gallery, Fleet Street

Inscription: Lettered below the image: "R.Smirk Pinx.t / LONDON. Publish'd July 16 1791, by Tho.s Macklin, Poets Gallery, Fleet Street. / W.Sharp Sculp.t / THE MARYS AT THE SEPULCHRE. / Mark, Ch. XVI. v. 5."

The etching is in good condition with some foxing and general age-related toning and minor defects from handling. The left border has been trimmed slightly.