The New Arrival (also known as 'The New Baby' or 'The First Born')
Print (Color Lithograph or Chromolithograph) on paper, likely a late 19th or early 20th-century reproduction of an oil painting • After Frederick Morgan (1847–1927), a prominent British painter of domestic and rural genre scenes
Style & Movement
Victorian Genre Painting / British Academic Art; characterized by sentimentalism and idealized domestic life
Medium & Technique
Lithography using a multi-stone color process to replicate the tonal qualities of an original oil painting; features smooth gradations typical of commercial fine art prints from the Victorian/Edwardian era
Creation Period
Late 19th Century to early 20th Century (circa 1890–1910)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 36 inches (visual area), vertical portrait format, housed in a custom decorative matte with shaped corners
Subject Description
A sentimental domestic scene depicting a young mother in Empire-waist white gown presenting a newborn infant to two older siblings. The scene includes a carved wooden cradle, a small Yorkshire terrier with a pink bow, and various toys including a blue ball. Elements of iconography suggest domestic bliss and maternal tenderness.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The print appears well-preserved under glass, though the colors show typical light-induced fading (tonal shift toward brown/muted hues)
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 (as a commercial reproduction)
Auction Estimate
$40 - $80
Provenance History
Likely a high-end decorative commercial print produced for the mass market; no specific collector marks are visible through the frame, but typical of middle-class household decor from 1900-1940
Art Historical Significance
Frederick Morgan was highly popular for his 'sweetness and light' depictions of childhood. While the original oil would be highly significant, these prints represent the democratization of art in the late Victorian period, where such imagery was used to reinforce family values and the cult of domesticity.
Notable Features
The presence of the dog and the specific cradle design are hallmarks of Morgan’s compositions. The ornate, shaped matting is characteristic of mid-20th-century professional framing styles intended to give mass-produced prints a more formal gallery appearance.
Condition Issues
Visible fading of pigment, particularly the lighter reds and yellows; potential acid burn from the original backing board (not visible but likely given the age range); minor reflections and glints suggest the paper may have slight rippling under the glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent further fading. If the backing is not acid-free, it should be replaced with archival materials to prevent the 'yellowing' of the paper fibers.