The Wedding (also known as 'The Wedding Morning' or 'Off for the Honeymoon')
Chromolithographic print / Mass-produced color lithograph on paper • After Edmund Blair Leighton (English, 1853–1922). This is a period reproduction of the original oil-on-canvas work.
Style & Movement
Victorian Academic Art / Pre-Raphaelite influence; specifically the 'Regency Revival' or 'Costume Painting' style popular in the late 19th century.
Medium & Technique
Chromolithography; multiple stone printing process using oil-based inks to achieve a rich, painterly color palette that mimics the original oil painting.
Creation Period
Late 19th Century to early 20th Century (circa 1890-1910) following the original painting by Edmund Blair Leighton from 1892.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 30 inches; vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
A celebratory scene depicting a newlywed couple in Regency-period (early 19th c.) attire descending a stone staircase. They are flanked by flower girls and well-wishers throwing rose petals. A small black dog is seen in the foreground. The work emphasizes idyllic romance, social harmony, and nostalgia for the Georgian era.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair. The print shows evidence of light-induced fading (tonal shift toward yellow/brown) and minor paper undulation.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Likely a household decorative object from the early 20th century. Such prints were widely distributed by companies like the Fine Art Society or Thomas Agnew & Sons for the middle-class market.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the Victorian obsession with sentimental history and 'costume dramas.' While the original oil painting by Leighton is highly regarded in the Academic tradition, these lithographic reproductions facilitated the democratization of art in Victorian homes.
Notable Features
Includes a distinctive title plaque on the matting reading 'The Wedding.' The print retains the soft, stippled texture characteristic of high-quality late-Victorian chromolithography rather than modern CMYK dot patterns.
Condition Issues
Visible browning (foxing or acid burn) from the original wood backing boards; color desaturation due to UV exposure; possible minor silvering or surface scuffs.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-frame using acid-free matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further darkening of the paper; avoid hanging in direct sunlight or high-humidity areas.