Print after Sir Thomas Lawrence
 |
 |
 |
Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) (after) |
A rosy-cheeked young girl sits on a rock wearing a white dress with a red sash and matching bonnet beneath a shady forest canopy. This fine, late 18th century print is based on the original painting by the renowned British artist Sir Thomas Lawrence. Although Lawrence was only about 25 years old when the print was made, he was already an established portraitist whose patrons included the King of England. The print is captioned with an excerpt from the poem Summer by the Scottish poet James Thomson: |
“Hence let me haste into the Mid-wood shade,/ Where scarce a Sunbeam wanders thro’ the gloom,/ And on the dark-green Grass, beside the Brink/ Of haunted Stream, that by the Roots of Oak/ Rolls o’er the Rocky Channel, lie at large,/ And Sing the glories of the circling Year.” |
Sir Thomas Lawrence was the leading European portrait painter of his generation, and among the greatest British artists of all time, known for his captivating brushwork and use of color. He painted numerous portraits of royal and aristocratic society members during the English Regency. Born in Bristol, Lawrence’s talent was recognized early and at around age 23 he succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds as painter in ordinary to the King of England. In 1794, he was made an Academician of the Royal Academy, and exhibited 90 portraits there between 1798 and 1813; he was appointed the academy’s president in 1820. During his lifetime, he was honored with knighthood by the English Prince Regent, received the Cross of the Legion of Honor from the King of France, and made a member of the academies of other nations, including those of America, Vienna, Florence, Venice, Copenhagen and Bologna. His works are in the collections of the world’s great museums including the National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery, British Museum and Windsor Castle in England as well as the Louvre. James Thomson (1700-1748) was educated in Edinburgh and moved to London, where he was part of literary circles that included Alexander Pope. His most famous poem, The Seasons, was published in four parts, one for each season, from 1726 to 1730, and revised in 1744, and influenced later generations of Romantic poets. This print is based on a verse from Thomson’s The Seasons -- Summer. He is also remembered for the song Rule Britannia, from one of the many theatrical works he also wrote or collaborated on. William Bond was a British engraver active in London from the last half of the 18th century through the early 19th century. He served as president of the Society of Engravers, founded in 1803, and was noted for his engravings of portraits after Joshua Reynolds, Richard Westall, and others. Full publication information: W. Bond, No. 98 Charlotte Street Rathbone Place, London: February 6, 1794. Condition: Generally very good, the colors vibrant, nonetheless with the usual light overall toning and wear. Print trimmed within platemark on sides, though margins ample for matting. References: Bénézit, E. Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs. France: Librairie Gründ, 1966. Vol. 1, p. 756 (Bond). Hind, Arthur M. A History of Etching and Engraving from the 15th Century to the Year 1914. London: Constable and Co., 1927. p. 426 (Bond). “James Thomson.” Answers.com. http://www.answers.com/topic/james-thomson (27 July 2005). “Sir Thomas Lawrence.” The Grove Dictionary of Art. New York: Macmillan. 2000. Artnet.com. http://www.artnet.com/library/04/0497/T049709.asp (27 July 2005). Williamson, George C., ed. Bryan's Dictionary of Painters and Engravers. London: G. Bell and Sons: 1930. Vol. 3, pp. 188-189 (Lawrence). |