Trade Card for William Sharp, Engraver 1700 - 1800

This trade card was engraved by William Sharp in 18th century London. Here, the dominant image is that of a winged figure resting upon a cloud, cradling an oval plaque inscribed with Sharp's name and profession. The figure harkens back to classical depictions of Eros or Psyche, beings associated with love, soul, and the divine. The angel motif, common in both religious and secular contexts, symbolizes grace and mediation between realms. Yet here, instead of soaring, the figure is reclining, evoking melancholy. This pose is reminiscent of depictions of Endymion, the eternally sleeping shepherd visited by the moon goddess Selene, embodying a dream-like state. The enduring power of such images lies in their capacity to tap into our collective memory, resonating with a deep-seated longing for transcendence, beauty, and perhaps, a touch of divine slumber. Such symbols never truly disappear; instead, they are reborn, carrying echoes of the past into the present.