| Method | Etching |
| Artist | John Keyse Sherwin after William Hogarth |
| Published | Pubd. as the Act directs by Jane Hogarth, 1775. Oct. 31st. [J & J Boydell c.1795] |
| Dimensions | Image 330 x 265 mm, Plate 374 x 292 mm |
| Notes |
An etching by John Keyse Sherwin after a sketch by William Hogarth. The plate was likely commissioned by Boydell for their editions of Hogarth's collected works. The portrait depicts a politician sitting by his desk, absorbed in the reading of a political speech or pamphlet. He wears a coat, breeches, a periwig, tricorn hat, and pince-nez. He has picked up a candle from a candlestick on the table and holds it up to better see the print, but, distracted, absent-mindedly sets fire to his hat. An inscription below the image reads: 'Etch'd from an original sketch of Wm Hogarth in the possession of Mr Forrest.' John Keyse Sherwin (1751 - 24th September 1790) was a British engraver, etcher, and painter, best known for his plates after Poussin, Murillo, and Gainsborough. Despite his reputation as a profligate and a gambler, Sherwin was a very talented engraver, who was allegedly capable of working ambidextrously. William Hogarth (1697 - 1764) was born in London, the son of an unsuccessful schoolmaster and writer from Westmoreland. After apprenticeship to a goldsmith, he began to produce his own engraved designs in about 1710. He later took up oil painting, starting with small portrait groups called conversation pieces. He went on to create a series of paintings satirising contemporary customs, but based on earlier Italian prints, of which the first was The Harlot's Progress (1731), and perhaps the most famous The Rake's Progress. His engravings were so plagiarised that he lobbied for the Copyright Act of 1735, commonly referred to as 'Hogarth's Act,' as a protection for writers and artists. During the 1730s Hogarth also developed into an original painter of life-sized portraits, and created the first of several history paintings in the grand manner. BM Satires 1978 Condition: Trimmed to platemark at top and bottom as issued. Time toning and waterstains to bottom of sheet. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £200.00 |
| Stock ID | 50663 |