Hebe.
Painted by W.m Peters R.A. Engraved by J.R. Smith.
Pubd. 10th. June 1779 by H. Humphrey No. 18 New Bond Street.
Mezzotint, 455 x 330mm. 18 x 13". Tear just into plate at right.
Portrait of Miss Mortimer (possibly the sister of John Mortimer, the painter) as a scantily-clad Hebe, seen in profile to left holding cup, head looking down at eagle. In Greek mythology Hebe was goddess of youth and daughter of Zeus/Jupiter. She was cup-bearer and handmaiden of the gods who married Herakles/Hercules after his apotheosis. The artist is Matthew William Peters (1742-1814), most famous for his provocative painting of a courtesan (known as 'Lydia' in the mezzotint copy). He came to regret his choice of subject, as he was ordained in 1781, becoming the Royal Academy's chaplain (1784-8), then chaplain to the Prince of Wales.
See Chaloner Smith: 117. D'Oench: 136. Unrecorded with Humphrey publication line; Lady Victoria Manners, 'Matthew William Peters, R.A.' p.62
[Ref: 11489] £230.00
Pubd. 10th. June 1779 by H. Humphrey No. 18 New Bond Street.
Mezzotint, 455 x 330mm. 18 x 13". Tear just into plate at right.
Portrait of Miss Mortimer (possibly the sister of John Mortimer, the painter) as a scantily-clad Hebe, seen in profile to left holding cup, head looking down at eagle. In Greek mythology Hebe was goddess of youth and daughter of Zeus/Jupiter. She was cup-bearer and handmaiden of the gods who married Herakles/Hercules after his apotheosis. The artist is Matthew William Peters (1742-1814), most famous for his provocative painting of a courtesan (known as 'Lydia' in the mezzotint copy). He came to regret his choice of subject, as he was ordained in 1781, becoming the Royal Academy's chaplain (1784-8), then chaplain to the Prince of Wales.
See Chaloner Smith: 117. D'Oench: 136. Unrecorded with Humphrey publication line; Lady Victoria Manners, 'Matthew William Peters, R.A.' p.62
[Ref: 11489] £230.00