Italian Hand Colored Engraving by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein: Framed; Based on the Original Collection of Sir William Hamilton's Ancient Vases

A man with a club, two centaurs, and no chance of a negotiated settlement.

This hand-colored engraving by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein comes from Naples, Italy, about 1791, in ink on paper, framed. It is based on Sir William Hamilton's collection of ancient vases. Hamilton, the British envoy at Naples, had the painted scenes engraved so scholars and artists could study them away from the pots. A naked warrior swings his club at two centaurs, one flinging up a cloak, all in orange against black. Broad black frame, cream mat. 27 inches wide and 26.5 high.

Vase painters never did flatter the centaurs.