| Method | Etching |
| Artist | John Hamilton Mortimer |
| Published | Published Decr. 8. 1778 by I. Mortimer |
| Dimensions | Image 221 x 155 mm, Plate 237 x 170 mm, Sheet 272 x 190 mm |
| Notes |
A sea monster with a fishtail is playing panpipes while reclining on a bank. Another sea monster has fallen asleep behind him to the left, some fish bones lying in front of him. This scene is reminiscent of a chapter in Ovid's Metamorphoses wherein Mercury is sent by Zeus to kill the many-eyed giant Argos, a servant of Hera. Mercury charms the giant by playing the pipes and telling him the story behind their creation. When Argos is lulled to sleep and all his eyes are closed, Mercury wastes no time in chopping off his head. This story would have been well known to an eighteenth century educated viewer and the evil look on the musical sea monster's face suggests that the sleeping monster behind him may well suffer a fate similar to Argos. The last plate from the series 'Fifteen etchings dedicated to Sir Joshua Reynolds'. John Hamilton Mortimer (1740 - 1779) was a British Neoclassical painter known for his romantic paintings and pieces set in Italy and its countryside, various other works depicting conversations between people, and works portraying war scenes, very similar to those of Salvator Rosa. Among other things, Mortimer took the place of President of the Society of Artists in 1774, only several years before his death, at age 39. Alan Cunningham wrote down an account of Sir Joshua Reynolds' reaction to the series of monsters dedicated to him by Mortimer: "He [Mortimer] was so fond of the monsters which belong to a disturbed fancy or wild dream, that he actually drew and etched a set of those capricious creations, and dedicated them to Sir Joshua Reynolds. The calm, contemplative President, a lover of the medium of all things, was not a little startled when he saw these wonderings and vagaries of one whom he esteemed: but advice to an artist so will-o-wispish as Mortimer he knew was useless; so he looked pleasant- complimented him on his twofold skill with the pencil and graver, and laid them carefully aside among his other curiosities." (Literature: William L. Pressly, The Artist as Original Genius, 2007, 68-70.) Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) led the eighteenth-century art world as first President of the Royal Academy and Britain's leading portrait painter. In his attempt to raise the status of portraiture, he created the Grand Manner which borrowed from classical antiquity and the Old Masters to fill his portraits with moral and heroic symbolism. An incredible socialite, social climber and self-promoter, Reynolds used his contacts to advance himself. Appointed President of the newly established Royal Academy in 1768, his annual lectures - or 'Discourses on Art' - had a lasting impact on the contemporary theory of art and practice. Condition: Excellent impression. Minor stain to bottom centre of plate, not affecting image. |
| Framing | mounted |
| Price | £550.00 |
| Stock ID | 43804 |