A Quest for a Cousin, from "Illustrated London News" 1874

"A Quest for a Cousin" is a wood engraving from the Illustrated London News, created in 1874 by James Abbott Pasquier. This work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts a scene of Victorian-era domesticity, capturing a moment of quiet conversation between a man and a woman, possibly a couple, within a cluttered artist's studio. The detail-rich engraving showcases the meticulous artistry of the wood engraving technique, highlighting the intricate patterns on the furniture and the textures of the clothing. It is a snapshot into the social customs and aesthetic sensibilities of the era.