Modern Athenians No. 16

Modern Athenians (No. 16) by Benjamin W. Crombie
C. 1837-1847
Hand-colored etching

This hand-colored etching by Benjamin W. Crombie portrays Robert Forsyth and John S. More in carefully observed profile portraits that emphasize their distinctive appearances and mannerisms. Forsyth stands in a rigid, composed stance with his hands clasped behind his back, dressed in a tailored black frock coat and top hat, while More faces him with a slightly more animated posture, holding a pair of spectacles in one hand and a closed umbrella in the other. Their formal attire, individualized features, and restrained gestures reflect the conventions of nineteenth-century portraiture while subtly highlighting the unique personalities of the two Edinburgh figures.

During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Edinburgh earned the sobriquet "Athens of the North" as one of Europe's foremost centers of the Scottish Enlightenment, celebrated for its philosophers, scientists, physicians, and writers. Benjamin W. Crombie's Modern Athenians series captured the city's distinctive characters at the height of this intellectual and cultural flourishing, portraying not only prominent civic leaders but also the colorful local personalities who animated everyday life. Combining portraiture with gentle satire, the series reflects the Victorian fascination with character studies while preserving a visual record of individuals who might otherwise have been forgotten. Today, these prints are valued not only for their lively humor and skilled hand-coloring but also as important documents of nineteenth-century Edinburgh, illustrating how the city balanced its reputation for scholarship and refinement with an enduring appreciation for wit, individuality, and eccentricity.

Dimensions: H 11” x 16” W

Condition: Minor surface tear to the right edge; the paper remains intact. Aside from this minor flaw, the print is in very good condition.