| Method | Mezzotint |
| Artist | Norman Hirst after Hubert von Herkomer |
| Published | London Published 1903 by Col. F. Rhodes, the Proprietor, 17 Stratton Street, Picadilly. |
| Dimensions | Image 550 x 425, Plate 596 x 465 mm, |
| Notes |
Cecil Rhodes (1853 - 1902) was an English businessman, mining magnate and politician. He was the founder of the De Beers company, a monopolistic enterprise that for one time marketed ninenty percent of the world's rough diamonds. Rhodes quickly became a spokesman and activist for imperial expansion. He used his political skills and wealth to become the premier of the Cape Colony in 1890. Through this, he was able to espouse his imperial ambitions on a far grander scale. He lobbied hard for the annexation of Bechuanaland and later, when he was becoming disappointed at the lack of political will at the Colonial Office, he formed The British South Africa Company in order to claim land in the interior of the Continent. This led to a Royal Charter, and the adopted name of Rhodesia for the territory under Rhodes' rule. Northern Rhodesia has since become Zambia, and to the south, Zimbabwe. Sir Hubert von Herkomer CVO (1849 - 1914) was a German painter, etcher and mezzotint engraver. Although a successful portraitist, he is best known for earlier works such as 'Hard Times' (1885), that took an unflinching look at the living and working conditions of the impoverished. Born in Bavaria, Herkomer lived in Ohio, in the United States before moving to Southampton, England in 1857. Showing a talent for drawing and sculpture from an early age, Herkomer began his training at the Southampton School of Art before entering the South Kensington Schools in 1866. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1869, was elected an associate in 1879 and an academician in 1890. In 1883, Herkomer founded the Herkomer School, at Bushey, which he directed without payment until retirement in 1904. He was also a member of the Royal Watercolour Society and Slade professor at Oxford, between 1885 and 1894. Herkomer also enjoyed experimenting with filmmaking. He established a studio in his home where he filmed and directed seven historical dramas. In 1896 he was knighted by Queen Victoria, in 1899 awarded 'Pour le Mérite' by Kaiser Wilhelm II, and in 1907 received the honorary degree of DCL at Oxford. Lennox-Boyd i/i. Ex. Col.: Hon. Christopher Lennox-Boyd Condition: Good impression on india laid paper, small stain to top of sheet just above publication line, not affecting image. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £500.00 |
| Stock ID | 34901 |