The Mountain Stream
n.d.
Medium
Steel engraving colored with wooden blocks on paper
Dimensions
37 × 27.5 cm (14 5/8 × 10 7/8 in.)
Classification
wood engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
61560
Art Historical Context
George Baxter’s *The Mountain Stream* showcases the artist’s pioneering approach to color printing in the nineteenth century. Created through a combination of steel engraving and wooden blocks on paper, the work exemplifies Baxter’s innovative method of layering colors onto a detailed monochrome base. This technique allowed for vibrant yet affordable reproductions that brought scenic landscapes into middle-class homes across Britain and beyond. Measuring 37 × 27.5 cm, the print captures the tranquil beauty of a mountain stream, inviting viewers to appreciate nature’s quiet drama. As part of t...