3-039-202 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Home and Victory," by F. W. W. Topham, in the exhibition of the Royal Academy, 1871. Engraving of a painting. "Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; Our bruised arms hung up for monuments; Our stem alarums changed to merry meetings; Our dreadful marches to delightful measures". These Shakspearean lines [from "Richard III"] are taken by way of motto for the picture we have engraved, from the Academy exhibition by Mr. F. W. W. Topham, a promising young artist, son of the well-known painter in water colours, and sharing his father's gift as a colourist. The scene before us is laid in Venice; the particular locality being the balcony of a palazzo, over which are seen the masts, gaily decorated with flags, and lateen sails of war-ships or bragozzi, newly arrived triumphantly, from some expedition against the Moors or rival Italian State. The young hero to whom the lines apply has returned safely to the bosom of his family, and is about to be crowned by his admiring sisters; whilst the parents are proudly congratulating each other over the bent sword, happy at their young victor's escape from the perils to which it bears eloquent though silent testimony'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.