Gem No. 6: Amazon on Horseback Spearing a Tiger - George Baxter

A detailed Victorian colour print by George Baxter, depicting a classical Amazon warrior on horseback in combat with a tiger.

George Baxter, a British printer and engraver, developed a unique method of colour printing using multiple wood blocks and metal plates. This specific work, titled Gem No. 6, depicts a classical subject: an Amazon warrior mounted on a horse, engaged in combat with a tiger. The composition draws inspiration from the sculptural work of the period, specifically the bronze group by the German sculptor August Kiss, which was displayed at the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Baxter prints are characterised by their precise registration and the application of oil-based inks, which allowed for a depth of tone and detail that was difficult to achieve with earlier hand-coloured lithographs. In this print, the monochromatic, sculptural quality of the figures is maintained, suggesting the texture of bronze or marble against a dark, atmospheric background. The framing elements, including the embossed crown seal at the base, are typical of the presentation style Baxter employed for his smaller, collectible prints, often referred to as his 'Gems'.

The scene captures a moment of high tension. The Amazon, depicted with classical proportions, wields a spear while her mount rears in reaction to the tiger. The anatomical accuracy of the animals and the dynamic posture of the rider reflect the nineteenth-century interest in heroic, mythological themes. By translating a three-dimensional sculpture into a two-dimensional print, Baxter demonstrated his technical ability to replicate the nuances of light and shadow found in fine art objects. This print serves as a record of the popular taste for classical subjects during the mid-Victorian era, when such imagery was frequently reproduced for the growing middle-class market interested in collecting affordable, high-quality art.