| Method | Mezzotint |
| Artist | Thomas Lupton after Thomas Phillips |
| Published | 1838 |
| Dimensions | Image 440 x 350 mm, Plate 530 x 410 mm, Sheet 600 x 470 mm |
| Notes |
A member of the London Stock Exchange, the Astonomer Francis Baily (1774-1844) was an important figure in defining financial practices and wrote several works on annuity tables. Having amassed a large fortune, he retired in 1825 to devote himself to his passion, astronomy. He had already, in 1820, co-founded the Royal Astronomical Society and he applied his tabular and calculating skills in revising important star catalogues. In 1827 he was awarded the Society's Gold Medal for his preparation of its Catalogue of 2881 Stars. He is best remembered for his vividly described observations of 'Baily's Beads' during an annular eclipse in 1836. This phenomenon is where the visible solar crescent around the moon is broken up by the inequalities of the moon's edge. Thomas Lupton (1791-1873) was an English mezzotinter who produced many works by Turner as well as a host of other notable British painters of the nineteenth-century. A talented engraver, Lupton played a significant role in the technical advancement of the mezzotint. In the hope of finding a more durable replacement for copper plate, Lupton conducted lengthy experiments on Chinese tutenag, nickel, and steel. The latter proved the most suitable. After 1,500 impressions, a single soft steel plate could still produce remarkable prints. Lupton's endeavour was recognised by the Royal Society of Arts and he was awarded the Isis medal in 1822. Thomas Phillips (1770-1845) was a prolific portrait painter, completing over 700 portraits. He was elected to the Royal Academy in 1808 and was Professor of Painting there between 1825 and 1832. He painted a series of contemporary poets. He also produced a number of portraits of men and women of science, considering both to represent the creativity of the Romantic period. O'Donoghue 1 Condition: Slightly rubbed. Minor crease to the lower margin stopping at plate. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £200.00 |
| Stock ID | 19640 |