Title page from the portfolio 'Hannibal's March over the Alps' - Alfred Rethel

A historical title page from Alfred Rethel's 1845 portfolio, 'Hannibal's March over the Alps', showcasing mid-nineteenth-century typography and print production.

This title page introduces the celebrated portfolio 'Der Zug Hannibal's über die Alpen', a series of wood engravings designed by the German Romantic artist Alfred Rethel. Published in 1845, the project demonstrates the technical collaboration between the artist and the wood engraver Hugo Bürkner, who translated Rethel's original drawings into the final printed format. The typography is clean and restrained, reflecting the mid-nineteenth-century approach to book design where clarity and balance were prioritised over excessive ornamentation.

Rethel is recognised for his dramatic historical compositions, often drawing upon themes of conflict and human struggle. While this specific page serves a functional purpose, it remains an essential component of the complete portfolio, which chronicles the arduous journey of the Carthaginian general through the Alps. The text indicates the production details, including the publisher, the Gesellschaft für vervielfältigende Kunst in Wien, and the specific contribution of Bürkner. The paper shows signs of age, including minor foxing and edge wear, which provide a sense of its historical provenance as a printed document from the mid-nineteenth century.

For collectors of nineteenth-century graphic arts, this title page offers a glimpse into the collaborative nature of print production during the period. It represents the intersection of historical narrative and technical craftsmanship, capturing the aesthetic sensibilities of the German Romantic era. The layout is sparse, allowing the historical weight of the subject matter to remain the primary focus. This print is a fine example of the period's dedication to high-quality reproduction, ensuring that Rethel's vision reached a wide audience through the medium of the woodcut.