A French born etcher and engraver, Gustave Mercier studied printmaking techniques under Gaucherel, in Paris. He moved to New York around 1880 and was regularly commissioned by Klackner and other major publishers of fine art engravings. Courtship in Ancient Times is one of his largest and most accomplished etchings. Other examples published by C. Klackner at No. 5 East 17th Street, New York include, Mistress Anne after Leon Moran, The Evening Breeze after H. Siddons Mowbray, Fin du Travail after Jules Breton, and another by William Magrath entitled, Favors for the Fair. Examples of his works can be found in the Museum of Art, Boston, the Baltimore Museum of art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and other important private and public institutions.