| Method | Mezzotint |
| Artist | William Ward after Lemuel Francis Abbott |
| Published | Pubd. July 16, 1812, by Wm. Ward, 24 Buckingham Place, Fitzroy Square |
| Dimensions | Image 645 x 428 mm, plate 650 x 430 mm, Sheet 688 x 472 mm |
| Notes |
Inscribed below image: "Painted by L.F. Abbott." "Engraved by Wm. Ward, Engraver to their R.H. the Prince Regent & Duke of York." and below title: "This Plate is with just Respect, Dedicated by Their most humble Servant, Wm. Ward.""Proof" A rare proof impression of one of the earliest printed golfing portraits. Ward's large-scale mezzotint portrait of Henry Callender Esqr., Captain General of the Society of Golfers at Blackheath, now the Royal Blackheath Golf Club, England's oldest golf club. Callender is shown full length, wearing the club's Field Marshal uniform and medal, a role that involved overseeing the cutting of holes on the course. Callender leans upon a stout spoon, with a putter propped against a pillar to his left. The original painting was until 2015 in the collection of the Royal Blackheath, along with a putter traditionally identified as the one in the painting, both having been purchased by the Society in 1812 to facilitate the creation of Ward's mezzotint in honour of Callender and his contributions to the club. William Ward (1762-1826) was a British engraver, particularly known for subject mezzotints and decorative stipples, but later in his career predominantly as a portrait engraver. He was apprenticed to the mezzotinter John Raphael Smith, though following Smith's death, worked for various publishers, as well as in partnership with his brother James, also an engraver and painter, as Messrs. Wards & Co. He was connected by marriage with the painter George Morland twice over, with Morland marrying Ward's sister Anne a month before Ward's own wedding to Morland's sister Maria. Lemuel Francis Abbott (1760/61- 1803) was an English portrait painter, most well known for his painting of Horatio Nelson, and those of Captain William Innes and Henry Callender of Blackheath Golf Club. Abbott studied under Francis Hayman and although he exhibited at the Royal Academy, he never became an Academician. It is said that overwork, due to the commissions he took on, and domestic unhappiness led to him being declared insane in 1798. Chaloner Smith 20 i/ii, Russell 20 ii/iii, O'Donohue 1, Lennox-Boyd ii/iii Condition: Clean dark impression. Patch of discolouration to right of inscription with inclusion in centre. Light toning from old framing tape to verso at top. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £1,750.00 |
| Stock ID | 52268 |