William Skelton – Nobleman of Cyprus with Falcon – Large Elephant Folio Copperplate Engraving (c. 1807) Period: printed circa 1807, early 19th century Material: copperplate engraving on sturdy wove paper Dimensions: sheet approximately 553 × 412 mm; image approximately 215 × 185 mm Condition: excellent condition, with minor signs of age and handling Collection Number: 282 Description This finely executed copperplate engraving depicts a nobleman from Cyprus, shown frontally and dressed in a substantial cloak, while holding a falcon upon a gloved hand. The sitter directs his gaze slightly to the left, creating a composed and dignified presence. The falcon, equipped with both hood and jesses, rests calmly upon the protective hunting glove, emphasizing its role as a trained bird of prey. Additional hunting attributes reinforce the aristocratic character of the portrait. A game bag is suspended to the right side of the composition, while the head of a hunting dog appears at the lower left. The dark and neutral background focuses attention upon the figure and his carefully rendered accoutrements, highlighting the textures of fabric, leather, and feathers. The composition derives from a portrait by Titian and reflects the Renaissance tradition in which falconry symbolized noble status, discipline, education, and mastery. Throughout the sixteenth century, portraits incorporating hunting accessories served as visual statements of rank and refinement, embodying the ideal of the cultivated gentleman. Skelton’s engraving faithfully translates the painterly qualities of the original work into line, tone, and texture, preserving both the character of the sitter and the grandeur of the Venetian prototype. Original Artist Titian (c. 1488/1490–1576), known in Italian as Tiziano Vecellio, was one of the foremost masters of the Venetian School and a central figure of the High Renaissance. Celebrated for his portraits, religious works, and mythological subjects, he revolutionized European painting through his mastery of color, atmosphere, and psychological characterization. His works were widely admired and frequently reproduced, becoming an important source of inspiration for later generations of engravers and publishers. Engraved by William Skelton was an English engraver renowned for his portrait engravings and reproductive prints after Old Master paintings. Active in London during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, he became known for his refined line work, subtle tonal transitions, and technical precision. Skelton collaborated extensively with prominent publishers, including William Miller, producing high-quality folio engravings intended for collectors, scholars, and connoisseurs of European art. This engraving was produced in the impressive Elephant Folio format, a prestigious and highly sought-after format of the period. Such large-scale engravings were intended to reproduce celebrated paintings with exceptional detail and visual impact, allowing viewers to appreciate the qualities of the original composition on a grand scale. Provenance This early nineteenth-century engraving after Titian was acquired in 2005 from the private collection of J. van Calker, a collector from the Dutch province of Overijssel with a particular interest in historical prints and graphic art. According to the available information, the piece was obtained by the collector between 1994 and 1998 through Hessink’s Fine Art Auctioneers in Zwolle, the Netherlands. Prior to that, the print formed part of an international private collection, although no further documented ownership history is known."