Here shalt thou find happiness
DESCRIPTION: This engraving, titled "Believe me Alexis—Here shalt thou find happiness," appeared in the British periodical The Lady’s Magazine in the late 18th century. Homosexual Context and InterpretationWhile the image is an 18th-century illustration for a popular magazine, modern scholars and queer historians often analyze such imagery for its homoerotic subtext. Pastoral Tradition: The names "Alexis" and "Daphnis" (the likely companion) are rooted in classical Greek pastoral poetry, such as Virgil’s Eclogues, which often depicted male-male desire and romantic friendships between shepherds. Romantic Friendship: In the 18th century, "romantic friendship" was a socially acceptable way to describe intense emotional and physical intimacy between members of the same sex that might today be identified as queer or homosexual. Visual Ambiguity: The physical closeness and the emotional plea in the caption ("Here shalt thou find happiness") can be read by modern audiences as a depiction of same-sex love, even if contemporary readers might have viewed it through the lens of platonic "sentimental friendship". Publication HistorySource: The Lady's Magazine (published 1770–1832). Format: These "elegant engravings" were a staple of the magazine, intended to accompany sentimental stories or poems that readers would contribute. Theme: The image depicts a scene of emotional consolation or romantic pursuit in a pastoral setting, a common motif in 18th-century "sentimentalism". STYLE: Engraving COLOUR: Monochrome SIZE (cm): 11 x 18 CREATORS: PUBLICATION: Lady’s Magazine PUBLISHER: DATE: C18 COMMENTS: Excellent condition SUBJECT: Classics & Literature PACKAGE: Single one-sided sheet in acid-free mount, flat & unfolded inside hard-backed envelope. Royal Mail Tracked 24 included. Note: Images are provided for illustration purposes only and are intended to show the complete printed product, including any imperfections of age that may be present. Frames or props shown in the images are for display purposes only and are not included with your purchase.
