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HAND - TINTED BY J.M.W. TURNER
EIGHTH (OR THE KINGS) REGIMENT OF FOOT - 1685
C.H. Hodges after Edward Dayes. London, 1792.
V. RARE. Original hand coloured Etching.
A Very Rare, beautifully
finished coloured plate from a series of nine military mezzotint/
etchings showing the dress of the Foot Guards and the first nine
regiments of foot with two figures on each plate. Published in
London by Captain Hewgill of the Coldstream Guards and sold by
John & Josiah Boydell. 1792-3, after a drawings
by Edward Dayes. Nevill considers these to be " the most attractive
representations of English uniforms ever executed" (page XXXI).
The Eighth or Kings Regiment of Foot was raised in 1685, and was
posted to Canada in late 1787 being stationed in Ontario & Quebec
until 1797.
Apart from their rarity (very limited numbers being produced),
the desirability of these fine images is assured as it is the work
of the colourist that makes them so collectable. For they examples
of the watercolour work of Joseph Mallord
William Turner (1775-1851)
who as a lad of seventeen was Dayes' apprentice, and it was to
him that the task of tinting these fine military images fell. (Carman
xvii) The technique of minimalist etched guidelines allowed full
scope for the talented colourist to create subtle and interesting
shading. A technique and individual style which was to be perfected
to such great effect in his later works.
Edward Dayes began his career as a pupil of William
Pether and rose to become draughtsman to H.R.H. the Duke of York. Known
as a painter of watercolours of a simple, yet graceful, character
producing views of considerable merit; much like the character
of the man himself. He taught drawing and wrote a book upon the
subject. Although frequently praised for the excellence of his
figure drawings (as may be seen from this fine plate) he, alas,
took his own life, as a result of a loss of a contract, in May
1804.
The plate was engraved by Charles Howard
Hodges (1774-1837). A
pupil of John Raphael Smith, Hodges rose to become a fine portrait
painter but who was renown as a mezzotint engraver, particularly
of the works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, his technique of a simple
etched line with shading tones of mezzotint are a fine example
of understated excellence.
Click for more information on the printing technique.
Reference:
Nevill, R. British Military Prints.
Carman, W.Y. British Military Uniforms, from contemporary pictures.
RARE.
Original hand coloured Etching. Slight age staining.
Double matted (conservation standards). Fillet & Gilt line.
Black & giltwood frame.
Approx. excluding letters. Frame 13 X 15" 33 X 38 cm.
Frame 22 X 23"
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FIRST REGIMENT OF FOOT GUARDS - 1660
Thomas Kirk after Edward Dayes. London, 1792.
A Very Rare, beautifully finished coloured
plate from a series of nine military mezzotint/etchings showing
the dress of the Foot Guards and the first nine regiments of
foot with two figures on each plate. Published in London by Captain
Hewgill of the Coldstream Guards and sold by John & Josiah
Boydell. 1792-3, after a drawings by Edward Dayes. Nevill considers
these to be "the
most attractive representations of English uniforms ever executed" (page
XXXI).
The regiment was raised at Bruges in 1656 by King Charles II
whilst he was in exile in Belgium. The King, allied to the Spanish,
was short of funds and so only five regiments were raised, the
most loyal supporters formed 'the Royal Regiment of Guards'.
Upon his restoration to England the King raised another Regiment
of Foot Guards, namely the King's Regiment of Guards, for his
protection. On the death of Thomas, Lord Wentworth in 1665, these
two Regiments were joined to form the First Regiment of Foot
Guards. this title remained from thence until 1815 when, due
to the Regiment's actions at Waterloo, it was granted the present
title - The Grenadier Guards. Often referred to as 'Pontius Pilate's
Body Guard' the First Regiment of Foot is the oldest in the British
Army, and was posted to North America during the French & Indian War 1757-1763; stationed
in Canada & New York serving in Louisburg, Nova Scotia & Ticonderoga.
Apart from their rarity (very limited numbers being produced),
the desirability of these fine images is assured as it is the
work of the colourist that makes them so collectable. For they
examples of the watercolour work of Joseph Mallord William Turner
(1775-1851) who as a lad of seventeen was Dayes' apprentice,
and it was to him that the task of tinting these fine military
images fell (Carman xvii).
The technique of minimalist etched guidelines allowed full scope
for the talented colourist to create subtle and interesting shading.
A technique and individual style which was to be perfected to
such great effect in his later works.
Edward Dayes who began his career as a pupil of William
Pether and rose to become draughtsman to H.R.H. the Duke of York. Known
as a painter of watercolours of a simple, yet graceful, character
producing views of considerable merit; much like the character
of the man himself. He taught drawing and wrote a book upon the
subject. Although frequently praised for the excellence of his
figure drawings (as may be seen from this fine plate) he, alas,
took his own life, as a result of a loss of a contract, in May
1804.
The outline plate was etched by Thomas
Kirk (fl.1785-97). A
pupil of R. Cosway, Kirk became well known as an artist and engraver.
He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1785 and twelve years
later died of consumption, continuing to work right up to the
end and being supported in his chair the day before his death
to put the finishing touches to a proof. Dayes said of him that "He
passed like a meteor through the region of art."
Click for more information on the printing technique.
V. RARE. Original hand coloured
Etching. Slight age staining.
Double matted (Conservation standards) Fillet & Gilt line.
Black & giltwood frame.
Approx. excluding letters. Frame Plate size 13 X 15 " (
33 X 38 cm.) Frame 24 1/2 X 25"
Reference:
1. Nevill, R. British Military Prints. 2. Carman, W.Y. British Military Uniforms,
from contemporary pictures. 3. The British Army, Internet website.
Ref. LRA.747 /DENim+DELcon+DEVfr=ERA/lnd
ALNN Price Code G: Click Here
for Pricing Details
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