• Title : Bart Murillo seipsum depin gens. pro filorum votis acprecibus explendis
• Date : 1870
• Condition: (A+) Fine Condition
• Ref:  22446
• Size: 13 1/2in x 9 1/2in (350mm x 240mm)

Description: 
This fine, original antique Heliograph self portrait of the Spanish artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo by the German engraver Heinrich Aldegrever or Aldegraf in the early 16th century was re-engraved and published by Charles Oliver Murray in 1870.
These faithful re-engravings of classic and historical wood-cuts were faithfully re-issued in the mid to late 19th century. Such is the quality of his re-strikes that many of these prints are now in major institutional collections such a the Louvre, National Gallery, The Met and many other famous Galleries. Please see below for further background.

The Latin inscription on the cartouche at the centre of the ledge explains that the self-portrait was made at the request of Murillo's children: 'Bart (olo) mé Murillo portraying himself to fulfil the wishes and prayers of his children - or sons'. Despite the unlined appearance of the face the painting is probably relatively late in date, of the early 1670s, when Murillo's children would have been of an age to take pride in their father's achievements. The composition is based on a formula that had been developed for portrait engravings used on the frontispiece of books. The sitter is shown in an oval frame and on the ledge below are the instruments of his profession, a palette and brushes on the right and a drawing and pencil on the left. 

General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy & stable
Paper color: - White
Age of map color: - 
Colors used: -  General color appearance: - 
Paper size: - 13 1/2in x 9 1/2in (350mm x 240mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (12mm)

 Imperfections:
Margins: - None
Plate area: - None
Verso: - None

Background:
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (born late December 1617, died April 3, 1682) was a Spanish Baroque painter. Although he is best known for his religious works, Murillo also produced a considerable number of paintings of contemporary women and children. These lively, realist portraits of flower girls, street urchins, and beggars constitute an extensive and appealing record of the everyday life of his times.

Charles Oliver Murray (1842–1923) was a Scottish engraver. Born in Roxburghshire in 1842, Murray trained at the Trustees Academy in Edinburgh and moved to London by 1872. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Painter-Etchers on 7 May 1881. He published widely in The Art Journal from the 1880s onwards and frequently exhibited at the Royal Academy. Murray died in London in 1923.(Ref: M&B; Tooley)