PHILHELLENIC (circa1850) Young courting couple “Les Albaniens” hand produced coloured print 23.5 x 32.5 cm (image only) 52 x 43 cm (with frame) Provenance private collection, Greece NOTE Beneath the print lies the French title, suggesting it was intended for the French market: "Les Albaniens" It depicts a pair of young lovers, clad in traditional attire, within the setting of a ruined temple. According to Wikipedia, in the 19th century, the term "Albanians" encompassed a broader scope than merely denoting individuals from Albania. The modern nation of Albania didn't emerge until 1912 during the Balkan Wars. Historically, Albanian communities thrived across a vast geographical expanse, spanning territories such as Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, as well as extending into Greece, Croatia, Italy, and Turkey. This print was kept in perfect condition hence retaining its pristine and vibrant colours as they would have been the day they were printed. Printed in the 1850’s on hand presses by J M Kronheim & Co using the patent process invented by George Baxter in 1835 for which Kronheim purchased a license to use.