A Regency Masterpiece of Character and Form: The Aubaud "Annals" Print (1818)

This striking 1818 print, published by the legendary Robert Bowyer, is a standout for its remarkable figurative detail. Drawn by the artist Aubaud, the work centers on a powerfully rendered male figure, capturing a moment of profound historical narrative with the precision of a classical study.

Aubaud’s draftsmanship is on full display here; the character’s posture, attire, and expression are etched with a level of detail that conveys both movement and gravitas. It is an evocative snapshot of the Regency era’s fascination with the individual’s role within the sweeping events of European history.

January 1818.

Dealer’s Comment

"What draws me to this specific plate is the sheer strength of the central figure. Aubaud had a rare gift for capturing the 'weight' of a person, there is a psychological depth to the man in this scene that elevates it beyond a mere historical record. It feels like a character study for a great epic. In an age of mass-production, the deliberate, fine-line detail found in this 1818 publication is a reminder of the height of English printmaking. It is a masculine, sophisticated piece that commands a wall, especially when housed in this sharp, ebony style frame."

Condition Report

The figurative work remains exceptionally crisp. Every line of Aubaud’s original drawing, from the texture of the clothing to the stoic expression of the man—is preserved with superb definition.

The paper is robust and stable, showing only the gentle, uniform mellowing expected of an authentic 200-year-old document.

Presented in a new, high-specification ebony-style frame. The dark, minimalist profile of the frame draws the eye directly into the intricate detail of the central figure.

Measurement

Height:             49 cm /     19.3 inch

Width:              43 cm /     16.9 inch

Depth:              3.5 cm /    1.4 inch

Weight:            1.9 k.g. /   4.2 lbs