| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Louis Truchy after Francis Hayman |
| Published | Publish'd by Tho. Bowles according to Act of Parliam't. February 1st. 1743/4. Printed for Tho. Bowles in St. Paul's Church Yard & John Bowles at the Black Horse in Cornhill. |
| Dimensions | Image 260 x 350 mm, Plate 290 x 365 mm, Sheet 370 x 435 mm |
| Notes |
A rare print depicting a group of people participating in leap frog from a rare series of twelve scenes of pastimes and activities originally painted by Francis Hayman. One of twelve designs originally painted by Hayman to decorate the supper boxes at Vauxhall Gardens. In the foreground two pairs of people are leap frogging over one another, a man to the right showing them the correct position. In the background two younger women watch, a dog in the foreground barking. Text below image: While blooming Health bestows its warm supply The active Youth their Limbs elestic try By turns they yield the pliant Back prepare By turns they spring and seem to move in Air Hence learn in Life with Similar address Prudent to bend or resolute to press Your force examine are you chuse your part The World is Leap Frog plac'd with greater Art. Louis Truchy (fl. 1740-1770) was a French artist and engraver. He is most known for his engravings of the Pamela paintings by the English artist Joseph Highmore, produced between 1741 and 1743 as the basis for a set of 12 prints. Francis Hayman (1708 - 1776) was a painter of history, portrait and genre. Born in Devon in 1708, he apprenticed to Robert Brown in 1718, producing scene paintings for Drury Lane Theatre. He went on to decorate supper boxes and pavilions at Vauxhall Gardens for Jonathan Tyers and he also contributed 31 pictures to a 1744 edition of Shakespeare's plays by Sir Thomas Hanmer, later portraying many leading contemporary actors in Shakespearean roles, including David Garrick as Richard III. Hayman taught at St. Martin's Lane Academy and was involved in the Society of Artists foundation in the 1760's, becoming President in 1766-68, and was also a foundation member of the Royal Academy. He exhibited at the SA 1760-68, and the RA 1769-72. John Bowles (c.1701-1779) was a British printmaker and publisher, and a member of the prolific and numerous Bowles family of printmakers. The second son of Thomas Bowles I, he established a publishing house in his own name following the passing of the family business to his older brother Thomas Bowles II after their father's death. In 1752, his son Carington joined the business, which traded under the name John Bowles & Son until 1764, when Carington took over the running of the original Bowles publishing house from his uncle, Thomas Bowles II. John Bowles specialised in mezzotint, especially portraits, though he also produced numerous topographical series and genre scenes. Condition: Professionally backed to tissue. Professionally repaired tears to sky area of image, right sheet edge, and top sheet edge. Surface marks to sheet. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £800.00 |
| Stock ID | 53326 |