| Method | Mezzotint |
| Artist | Samuel William Reynolds after James Northcote |
| Published | London. Publish'd 5.th April 1799 by Jeffryes & C. o Ludgate Hill |
| Dimensions | Image 473 x 600 mm, Plate 480 x 605 mm |
| Notes |
A fine first state impression of this striking mezzotint of a vulture attacking a snake, after James Northcote's 1798 painting of the same title, now part of the University of Manchester collection at Tabley House, Cheshire. This large-scale, imposing and impressive, mezzotint depicts a vulture with its wings spread and beak open, gripping a large snake with its right claw. The snake, on a rocky outcrop, is coiled with its tongue out and fangs on show. The dramatic scene is emphasised by stormy clouds in the background. Samuel William Reynolds (1773-1835) was a British mezzotinter and oil painter. He studied at the Royal Academy of arts and was tutored by the leading mezzotint engravers John Raphael Smith and Charles Howard Hodges. He produced his first mezzotint in 1794, a portrait of George, Prince of Wales, and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1797 until 1827. He achieved success in both Britain and France, exhibiting at the Paris Salons from 1810 and later appointed drawing-master to the royal princesses and then of engraver to King George III. He taught the engravers David Lucas and Samuel Cousins. James Northcote (1746-1831) was a history and portrait painter, Northcote was assistant to Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1771-5, and later his biographer. He was known for his dignified portraits in the Reynolds tradition, but also produced grandiose history paintings, many for Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery. Whitman 422 i/ii, Lennox-Boyd i/ii Ex.Col.: Hon. Christopher Lennox-Boyd Condition: Good clean impression. Light rubbing to surface, predominantly to right hand side. Lennox-Boyd catalogue reference in pencil in bottom margin. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £2,000.00 |
| Stock ID | 51809 |