“Come Pretty Robin”

“Come Pretty Robin” (CL 349) dated 1857. When these were Baxter’s productions they were signed within the plate on the wall bottom left. When produced by Abraham Le Blond from the original plates they were not so, being a little shorter in portrait profile. This picture, of a girl enticing a robin into a cage, is pleasing in that she has failed! The changing of our attitudes is apparent.  However, for historical interest there is plenty to consider. The rather gothic background, the very cold weather, and the desire to capture a wild bird for human pleasure! It was probably produced as a Christmas card. It is well produced and the printing is fine. There is often (rightly) criticism of Le Blond’s work, especially the reproduced Baxter plates. Skin tones are more chalky. Here that criticism would be unfair. It is a fine print, and having just compared it to a Baxter equivalent, there is no apparent difference in quality. Unmounted.