"THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA'S TRAVELLING EQUIPAGE," as indicated by the title at the bottom of the print.
It portrays a unique scene featuring a large, box-like carriage being transported across a snowy landscape, presumably by a team of horses and handlers. In the background, there's a dramatic sky with dark clouds and a volcanic eruption, contrasting with the calm and ordered procession in the foreground. The moon is visible in the sky, suggesting the scene is set at night.
This print was published by Harrison & Co. on April 2, 1787. The scene is an 18th-century illustration that combines elements of travel, adventure, and the grandeur associated with the Russian Empress's journey. It reflects the fascination with exotic and luxurious modes of travel during the period, especially those associated with royalty and imperial power. The artwork is detailed, with careful attention to the horses' movement, the carriage's construction, and the atmospheric conditions surrounding the event.
The phrase "Metz del. and Walker sculp." on a print indicates the individual roles of two artists in its creation:
- "Metz del." signifies that an artist with the surname Metz was the original designer or draftsman of the image. "Del." is an abbreviation for the Latin term "delineavit," which translates to "he (or she) drew it."
- "Walker sculp." means that an engraver with the surname Walker was responsible for the actual engraving of the image onto a surface capable of printing. "Sculp." is short for "sculpsit," which means "he (or she) engraved it."
These inscriptions are typical on prints and engravings to give credit to the creators involved in the different stages of the artwork’s production.
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.