| Method | Copper engraving with hand colouring |
| Artist | [Anonymous] |
| Published | London, Printed for Robt. Sayer Map & Printseller, at the Golden Buck near Serjeants Inn Fleet Street. [c.1775] |
| Dimensions | Image 230 x 335 mm, Plate 250 x 350 mm, Sheet 310 x 440 mm |
| Notes |
An allegorical print representing 'Poetry'. Originally part of a series of six, the scenes are set within idealised classical ruins with figures partaking in each of the six arts. 'Poetry' is represented by six figures either reading or writing. A figure of a young man in the foreground is writing in a ledger, with copies of Virgil, Homer and Paradise Lost surrounding him. Robert Sayer (1725-1794) was one of the most prolific and successful British publishers, cartographers, and print-sellers of the Georgian era. Following his brother's marriage to the daughter in law of the publisher John Overton, Sayer continued the business, branching out into sea charts, maritime atlases, and general maps. In addition to his cartographic achievements, Sayer was also instrumental in growing the public taste for prints after paintings, particularly those by Johan Zoffany, with whom he developed a lifelong friendship as well as a lucrative business partnership. Following his death, the business was continued by Laurie and Whittle. Condition: Time toning to sheet, overall surface dirt and staining from previous mount. |
| Framing | mounted |
| Price | £300.00 |
| Stock ID | 47497 |