LIVERPOOL FROM THE FORT

John Thomas Serres  1797  [1798 ]

A VERY RARE  etched and hand coloured subscription print after the original painting by John Thomas Serres, of the Port of Liverpool. Bears the dedication below, and upon each side of, the Arms of his Lordship."To the Right Honble  The Earl of Derby &c. &c.&c. by permission this view of Liverpool from the Fort is most respectfully inscribed by his Lordship’s most obedt servt   Jon  Thos Serres”

 The background of this view of the waterfront is taken up with a church, massive warehouse buildings and harbour wall in front of which, a line of washer-women may be seen. To the right numerous ships and small vessels ply the busy waters of the port. In the middle of the foreground three sailors struggle to pull debris, with sail cloth attached, by a hawser whilst to the left an artist (perhaps Serres himself?) sits upon a chest recording the dramatic scene unfolding in front of him. Like the artist  it is to the middle ground that the attention of the viewer is drawn, for a merchant vessel is ablaze with long flames issuing from the left of the  hold as the crew work feverishly to unload the cargo and salvage the sails and rigging before the whole of the beached ship is engulfed. A jolly boat is visible and skiffs ferry the salvaged cargo to the shore as crew of others rescue flotsam and jetsam. To the right a ship of the Blue Squadron, at anchor, dries her sails and airs ‘tween her decks through her open gun ports.

With the passage of time there has been some light fading and discolouration in the border which has been trimmed along the lower edge, but overall this is a very pleasing and highly desirable image.Serres published four views of Liverpool in between 1796-8 which are considered very rare, and recorded in realizing prices in excess of £ 1,400 each. We are most fortunate to be offer two of these splendid images at a reasonable price.

VERY RARE Original handcoloured Etching, Matted,
16 3/8 x 21 1/4” (41.5 x 54cm.)  PRICE CODE  E   Click Here for Pricing Details
Ref. MCB4/ OVL/ s.anng >DEOL   SOLD

Click for more information on the printing technique.

 

John Thomas Serres (1759 - 1825) The elder son of the noted marine painter  Dominic Serres,  (1722 -1793) was born in London December 1759, and followed his father's profession. Between 1779 - Ca.1804 he was drawing-master to a marine school at Chelsea. In 1780 he began to exhibit at the Royal Academy, sending two water-colour views and a painting of Sir George Rodney engaging the Spanish squadron. In 1790 he went to Italy, visiting Paris, Lyons, Marseilles, Genoa, Pisa, Florence, and Rome, where he passed five months, and then proceeded to Naples.
Upon his return the following year, he married his former pupil, Olivia Wilmot, the extravagant and self styled ‘Princess Olive of Cumberland’ In 1793 he succeeded his father as marine-painter to King George III, and was also appointed Marine Draughtsman to the Admiralty. In the latter capacity he was frequently employed in making sketches of the harbours on the enemy's coast, and had a vessel appointed for his service, receiving £ 100 a month when on duty. He also contributed regularly (chiefly shipping and marine subjects in both oils and watercolours) to the exhibitions of the Royal Academy untill 1808. In 1801 he published a translation of The Little Sea-torch, a guide for coasting ships, illustrated by a large number of coloured aquatints, and in 1805 his Liber Nauticus, or instructor in the art of marine-drawing....was published jointly with his brother. He had finally obtained a divorce from Olivia the year before, but her creditors continued to financially ruin him to such extent that he fled to Edinburgh, and there attempted suicide. Imprisoned in a debtors prison, he continued to give drawing lessons until he was able to move back to London shortly before his death.

 

LIVERPOOL FROM THE POWDER MAGAZINE
John Thomas Serres  1796  [1798 ]

A VERY RARE  etched and hand coloured subscription print after the original painting by John Thomas Serres,  of Liverpool from the Powder Magazine.  Bears the dedication below, and upon each side of, the Arms of his Lordship. "To the Right Honble  The Earl of Liverpool &c. &c.&c. by permission this view of Liverpool from the Powder Magazine is most humbly dedicated his Lordship’s most respectful and obedt servt   Jon  Thos Serres”

 The background of this splendid image depicts the skyline of Liverpool with its cathedral,spires,warehouses and windmills. On the river Mersey ply a Privateer,to the left, and Merchantmen ‘barkey’s’ in the middle ground, whilst to the right is portrayed a Royal Naval Frigate, towing it’s jolly boat,.and in the foreground are numerous Ketch’s.
Despite some general light fading with the passage of 210 years, minor surface damage and trimmed lower border, this splendid image retains much of its characteristic blue and yellow tones that distinguish the works of John Thomas Serres, it remains  a very pleasing, and highly desirable image.

Serres published four views of Liverpool in between 1796-8 which are considered very rare, and recorded in realizing prices in excess of  £1,400 each. We are most fortunate to be offer two of these splendid images at a reasonable price.

VERY RARE Original handcoloured Etching, Matted,
16 3/8 x 21 1/4” (41.5 x 54cm.)  PRICE CODE  E   Click Here for Pricing Details
Ref. MCB5/ OVL/ s.anng >DEOL      SOLD

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