Print of the Month - November 2018
This month has seen events around the world marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Of course this war was many years after the lifetime of George Baxter, but Baxter also used his artistic skills to pay respect to those involved in conflict.
‘The Soldier’s Farewell’ (CL 200) shows a guardsman leaving for the Crimean War, with his father presenting him with a bible.
It is a poignant scene showing a landscape buried in snow, emblematic of what the troops went through in the Crimea.
The Crimean War was fought by an alliance of Britain, France, Turkey and Sardinia against Russia.
It started in October 1853 - although Britain and France only became involved in 1854 - and ended in February 1856.
Baxter’s print is signed on the left, under the broom, in seven lines - “Published Sept. 24th, 1855, by G. Baxter, Proprietor and Patentee, London”.
The title is shown in the bottom plate margin.
This Baxter Process print was produced from a plate and eight blocks, and was originally sold at 1s. 6d.
Le Blond also published this print signing it bottom right.
He produced it from Baxter’s plates after his death.