This is a stunning and rare 18th-century, hand-coloured engraving/etching titled Satyrs and Maenads. This engraving was part of a scarce edition in four volumes,  published by Pierre Francois Hugues D'Hancarville in his famous work on Sir William Hamilton's collection of antique vases: 'Antiquites Etrusques, Grecques et Romaines, Tirées du Cabinet de M. William Hamilton.' The edition was published in 1766 and 1767 in Naples and Florence, and is considered one of the most beautiful books ever made.
The publication was highly influential in the 18th century, as it advanced the study of ancient art and popularized the Neoclassical style.
Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803) was the British ambassador in Naples. He acquired a large collection of ancient Greek vases, collected from Herculaneum, Pompeii and other parts of south Italy and Greece and sold his collection to the British museum in 1772. 
Newly framed in a delicately detailed frame and archival matting.
Condition: Central vertical fold as issued. 
Etching dimensions 25 1/8" by 15".
Framed dimensions: 33" by 22 3/4"