Description
Richard Ansdell was a British painter and engraver of animals, sporting and pastoral scenes. He began his education at a school for poor and orphaned children in his native Liverpool, where he showed a talent for drawing and eventually was admitted to the art academy in Liverpool. He debuted at the Royal Academy in London in 1840 with a hunting scene, and soon established himself as a successful and popular painter, becoming widely known via prints after his work, such as these. He was admitted into the Royal Academy as an academician and eventually exhibited an impressive 149 canvases in their exhibitions over his long career.
William Turner Davey was an English engraver of genre, sporting and portrait subjects after works by his contemporaries, including Richard Ansdell, W.H. Hopkins, W. Barraud and H. O’Neill. He studied with Charles Rolls and worked in London.
Full title: “Black Game. From the original Pictures in the possession of J.B. Neilson, Esq’r. Liverpool.”
Full publication information: “London. Published by Owen Bailey, 4 Arlington St. Mornington Crescent. March 1st 1852.”
Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning and wear. Few short tears professionally restored.
References:
Bénézit, E. Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs. France: Librairie Gründ, 1966. Vol. 1, pp. 190-191 (Ansdell).
Mackenzie, Ian. British Prints: Dictionary and Price Guide. Woodbridge, Suffolk, England: Antique Collectors Club, 1987. Mackenzie, p. 94 (Davey).
