Antique Print - Lithograph, The Burial of Atala, Star Crossed Love, 1892 Book Page (AR-A518)
 
This engraving is called "The Burial of Atala" by French artist Gustave Courtois. This artwork is a visual representation of a poignant scene from the popular romantic novella Atala, ou Les Amours de deux sauvages dans le désert (Atala, or The Loves of two Indian savages in the desert) by François-René de Chateaubriand, first published in 1801. 
The engraving illustrates the tragic climax of Chateaubriand's novella, which tells the story of Atala, a half-Native American, half-European Christian maiden, and her forbidden love for Chactas, a Natchez Indian.
 "The Burial of Atala" captures the solemn moment after Atala takes her own life to uphold a vow of chastity made to her dying mother, rather than break it for her love for Chactas. In the image, Chactas is shown tenderly cradling Atala's lifeless body, while a solemn monk, Father Aubry, assists in her burial within a cave, evoking themes of love, sacrifice, and spiritual devotion.
This artwork, along with other depictions of Atala (like the famous painting by Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson), reflects the widespread influence of Chateaubriand's novel on 19th-century art and its embrace of Romantic themes such as exoticism, intense emotion, and the clash between nature and civilization.
Also included is the tissue paper covering with a brief description of the scene.
This is an original,  not a reproduction. It came from a destroyed 1st edition book published in 1892 by Selmar Hess called Character Sketches of Romance Fiction and Drama. There is some damage, aging to the bound side of the print. All prints are either wood engravings, etchings, photogravure, or typogravure.

Approx Size - 11.5"x 9" 
Great for framing, assemblage, collage art, scrapbooking, college or school reports, research, home decor