| Method | Mezzotint with etching |
| Artist | Valentine Green after William Elliott |
| Published | Drawn by Lieut. Willm. Elliott. Engrav'd by V. Green, Mezzotinto Engraver, to his Majesty & to the Elector Palatine. Published April 30th 1784 by Wm. Elliott, near the Chapel, Gosport. |
| Dimensions | Image 275 x 398 mm, Plate 280 x 400 mm, Sheet 310 x 430 mm |
| Notes |
One of a series of mezzotints dedicated to Sir Peter Parker, Vice Admiral of the White, showing Royal Navy vessels afflicted by the disastrous hurricane seasons of 1780 and 1781. This particular example depicts HMS Ulysses, a fifth rate frigate that was dismasted in a hurricane off Jamaica in 1781, but miraculously avoided being wrecked. In the scene, the ship is tossed on a monumental wave while lightning splits the sky, illuminating her crew who can be seen waving in alarm from the aftcastle. Two of the masts have already been swept into the sea, with one hanging from the ship by its rigging. Below, the title and dedication are broken by the Arms of Parker. William Elliott (fl.1781-1791) was a British painter and draughtsman who was famed for his military and naval subjects. He was gazetted to the rank of lieutenant in 1781, and exhibited at the Royal Academy between the years of 1784 and 1789. At these exhibitions, Elliott frequently depicted naval action scenes set in Canada and Jamaica. Valentine Green (1739-1813) was a British mezzotinter, Associate Royal Academician, and publisher, often in association with his son Rupert. In 1773 he was appointed mezzotint engraver to George III and in 1774 he became a member of the Royal Academy. In 1775, he was appointed mezzotint engraver to Karl Theodor, Elector Palatine, and in 1789, he worked on the engraving and publishing of pictures in the Düsseldorf Gallery. Green was one of the first engravers to show how admirably mezzotint could be applied to the translation of pictorial compositions as well as portraits. His engravings are distinguished by exceptional richness, subtlety of tone, and a deft handling of light and shade. Lennox-Boyd ii/iv Condition: Strong dark impression. Minor creases and surface abrasion to plate. Puncture to bottom right margin, not affecting plate. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £300.00 |
| Stock ID | 28999 |