Antique Engraving — “Love’s Young Dream” Jane M. Bowkett Engraved And Printed by Illman Brothers (Philadelphia), c. 1865–1890
Viridian Eclection
The Engraving
A hand colored steel engraving of Love's Young Dream, after the painting by the British artist Jane Maria Bowkett, engraved and printed by the Illman Brothers of Philadelphia.
The scene is a young couple in a garden. The woman sits with a bouquet of roses, her suitor standing shyly behind her. Subtle hand coloring to the roses and to the trim of her dress softens the precision of the engraved line and gives the composition warmth.
It is housed in an ornate gilt and pressed filigree frame.
History & Provenance
Jane Maria Bowkett, 1837 to 1891, was one of the few British women of her generation to exhibit regularly in London. She was known for intimate domestic and romantic genre paintings, many of which were reproduced as engravings for middle class collectors.
The Illman Brothers, Edward, George, Henry and William, operated in Philadelphia from the middle of the nineteenth century and were among the foremost American engraving houses of the period. They produced plates for illustrated books, art portfolios and periodicals including Peterson's Magazine. Their precision and clarity brought them national standing.
The title echoes Thomas Moore's poem of 1808, Love's Young Dream, a text closely bound up with the Victorian taste for sentimental and moral romance. The composition works in that idiom. Emotion is carried by posture and by symbol, the fallen roses and the gentle turn of the head, rather than by open gesture.
Product Details
| Title | Love's Young Dream |
| After | Jane M. Bowkett, British, 1837 to 1891 |
| Engravers and Printers | Illman Brothers, Philadelphia |
| Era | c. 1865 to 1890 |
| Medium | Steel engraving with period hand coloring on paper |
| Frame | Ornate gilt and pressed filigree frame, likely early twentieth century |
| Condition | Excellent for age. Light toning and faint handling marks. Image crisp and well preserved |
| Dimensions | Sight and frame measurements to be confirmed |
Why It Belongs in Your Home
In the nineteenth century engravings of this kind were how fine art reached domestic interiors. They hung in parlors and libraries as tokens of refinement, and the trade that produced them was substantial and skilled.
Read now, the piece is a delicate survival of the Victorian romantic imagination. It sits well against dark floral paper, brass fixtures and period furniture, and the warm tone of the engraving with the gilt of the frame carries a wall without shouting.
It works on a gallery wall, in a sitting room, or in a bedroom vignette, anywhere a room wants a note of history and quiet feeling rather than a statement.
Every piece is packed with professional-grade materials: multiple foam layers, double-boxing, directional and fragile handling labels. For large furniture we use custom timber crating. We photograph packing before dispatch and can provide images on request.
White-glove delivery is complimentary within 100 miles of Reno, NV. National shipping quotes provided at checkout. All shipments are photographed and documented. Damage claims must be filed with the carrier; we provide all documentation needed to support your claim.
Local pickup is available at Viridian HQ (Reno, NV) with 2–4 days notice. Contact us to arrange. Private viewings also available.
All antique and vintage items are sold as described and all sales are final. Each listing includes detailed condition notes and photographs so you can make a fully informed decision. We encourage buyers to ask questions — about condition, dimensions, finish, provenance — before purchasing.
Antiques are irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind. Carrier handling is outside our control once a piece has left our facility, and major carriers including FedEx do not insure antiques. We do everything within our power to ensure safe transit, but cannot accept liability for carrier damage. If damage occurs in transit, we will provide full documentation to support your carrier claim.
Have a question? — we're happy to provide additional photos, condition detail, or discuss the piece directly.
You'll Also Love
Browse Etchings →
