After Marcantonio Raimondi (Italian ca. 1480 - before 1534) Engraving after Raphael (Raffaelo Sanzio or Santi) (Italian, 1483-1520) Adam and Eve flanked by two trees, a town in the background, label verso ' the Adam and Eve of Raphael by Maro Antonio, this is a fine impression of a very rare engraving & is generally believed to have been traced on the copper by Raphael himself , Richard Ford (author of the Handbook of Spain) 23.5cm x 17.5cm in a Florentine style wooden frame Provenance: Lady Ford; Richard Ford; Sir Francis Clare Ford; Captain Richard Ford; Mrs Richard Ford; Long Court, Randwick, Glos. thence by descent. Notes: Listed in Captain Richard Ford's inventory for 53 Ennismore Gardens, London , London SW7 page19 Richard Ford (1796-1858) author of 'The Handbook of Spain' and travel writer. After studying at Trinity College, Oxford he was called to the Bar in 1822. But his real interest lay in the fine arts and travel. After moving to Spain in 1830 he purchased Spanish paintings and drawings mainly from the British Vice Consul Julian Williams, who was also a dealer. He sent a number of paintings to auction at Rainy's in Regent Street in 1836, some of these were bought in. In 1843 he published a life of Velasquez and in 1851 on a tour of the north of England with Mrs Ford 'rediscovered' the Rokeby Venus in North Yorkshire. See lot 107 Mallams' Cheltenham auction sale 17/09/2020 lot 107 for a group of Richard Ford's sketches, also from Long Court and further lots from the property.