Comedy. [&] Tragedy.
Publish'd Decr. 8, 1778, by I. Mortimer [but reissues on 19th century paper].
Pair of etchings, each c.295 x 200mm (11½ x 8"). Decent impressions, with margins.
Two allegories: 'Tragedy' is the Muse Melpomene in classical dress standing over the body of a man laid at left, a chalice in her hand and leaning upon an altar at right, urn below; smoke rising behind and another grieving figure cloaked at left. 'Comedy' the the Muse Thalia, standing pointing to figure sketch labelled 'nature' within a book resting on plinth beside; a child sitting on step below looking into a hand-mirror, watched by a satyr beside with jester's staff. For a series of 15 etchings by John Hamilton Mortimer (1740 - 1779) dedicated to Sir Joshua Reynolds, originally published shortly after Mortimer's election as ARA in November 1778 - which suggests that he began work upon them before the elections. These prints appeared in 'Mortimer's Works...' published by Thomas Palser, London, 1816.
See Sunderland pgs.92-96 for a detailed discussion of the set. See V&A E.450-1961.
[Ref: 22480] £260.00
Pair of etchings, each c.295 x 200mm (11½ x 8"). Decent impressions, with margins.
Two allegories: 'Tragedy' is the Muse Melpomene in classical dress standing over the body of a man laid at left, a chalice in her hand and leaning upon an altar at right, urn below; smoke rising behind and another grieving figure cloaked at left. 'Comedy' the the Muse Thalia, standing pointing to figure sketch labelled 'nature' within a book resting on plinth beside; a child sitting on step below looking into a hand-mirror, watched by a satyr beside with jester's staff. For a series of 15 etchings by John Hamilton Mortimer (1740 - 1779) dedicated to Sir Joshua Reynolds, originally published shortly after Mortimer's election as ARA in November 1778 - which suggests that he began work upon them before the elections. These prints appeared in 'Mortimer's Works...' published by Thomas Palser, London, 1816.
See Sunderland pgs.92-96 for a detailed discussion of the set. See V&A E.450-1961.
[Ref: 22480] £260.00