Artwork
A New Love Song Only a Ha'Penny a Piece
A New Love Song Only a Ha'Penny a Piece is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Anthony Cardon. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
A New Love Song Only a Ha'Penny a Piece is a colored stipple engraving created by Flemish engraver Anthony Cardon in 1796, during his active period in England. The work exemplifies the popular print culture of the late 18th century.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts a street scene where a vendor sells affordable song sheets to a gathered crowd. The interaction between a woman in a red shawl and a man in a brown coat, alongside bystanders including a woman with a baby and a kneeling boy with a dog, suggests a everyday moment of community engagement with popular music.
Technique & Style
Cardon utilized colored stipple engraving, a technique he was known for, alongside his work in chalk. The piece features muted colors with predominant warm browns and soft blues, set against a hazy, open landscape background.
History & Provenance
Produced in 1796, the engraving is part of Cardon's output during his establishment in London, where he produced various engravings and book illustrations. The specific provenance of this piece is not detailed here.
Context
This work reflects the satirical or topical themes common in late 18th-century English print culture, though its primary focus appears to be on capturing a mundane, relatable scene of street commerce and music dissemination.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of *A New Love Song Only a Ha'Penny a Piece* are not highlighted, it contributes to the historical record of popular 18th-century print practices and the role of street vendors in music distribution.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anthony Cardon (1772–1813) was a Flemish engraver in chalk or stipple, who made his career in England and became noted for his engravings and book illustrations.
