Marcus Curius Dentatus rejecting the Bribes of the Samnites.From the Original Picture of the same Size, painted by Pietro da Cortona, in the Collection of his Grace the Duke of Devonshire,..[to whom the plate is dedicated by the publisher.]
J. Mortimer delin.t. Anth.y. Walker Sculpsit.
Publish'd according to Act of Parliament 1st. of March 1763, by J. Boydell Engraver, in Cheapside, London.
Engraving. 430 x 540mm (17 x 21¼").
An interior scene, with Samnite ambassadors entering to find Manius Curius Dentatus, (d. 270 BC), sitting by the hearth roasting turnips. When offered their armfuls of treasure Denatus, a Plebian famous for being incorruptible, refused, stating that he preferred to rule the possessors of gold rather than possessing it himself. As consul in 290BC Danatus ended the Samnite War, celebrating with a triumph. This is one of three plates from drawings by John Hamilton Mortimer (1740-79) after 17th century paintings in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire, the others being Cignani's 'Charity' and Poussin's 'The Shepherds in Arcadia'. They were published in John Boydell's ''The Most Capital Paintings in England'', a five-volume series published between 1769 and 1786. The series was a critical and financial success, establishing a tradition in Britain for collecting prints. One of a set of three plates from drawings by John Hamilton Mortimer (1740 - 1779) after 17th century paintings in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire: the others were engraved by J F Ravenet, being 'Charity' by Carlo Cignani and 'The Shepherds in Arcadia' by Poussin (see nos. 1162 & 1163).
[Ref: 11764] £240.00
Publish'd according to Act of Parliament 1st. of March 1763, by J. Boydell Engraver, in Cheapside, London.
Engraving. 430 x 540mm (17 x 21¼").
An interior scene, with Samnite ambassadors entering to find Manius Curius Dentatus, (d. 270 BC), sitting by the hearth roasting turnips. When offered their armfuls of treasure Denatus, a Plebian famous for being incorruptible, refused, stating that he preferred to rule the possessors of gold rather than possessing it himself. As consul in 290BC Danatus ended the Samnite War, celebrating with a triumph. This is one of three plates from drawings by John Hamilton Mortimer (1740-79) after 17th century paintings in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire, the others being Cignani's 'Charity' and Poussin's 'The Shepherds in Arcadia'. They were published in John Boydell's ''The Most Capital Paintings in England'', a five-volume series published between 1769 and 1786. The series was a critical and financial success, establishing a tradition in Britain for collecting prints. One of a set of three plates from drawings by John Hamilton Mortimer (1740 - 1779) after 17th century paintings in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire: the others were engraved by J F Ravenet, being 'Charity' by Carlo Cignani and 'The Shepherds in Arcadia' by Poussin (see nos. 1162 & 1163).
[Ref: 11764] £240.00