Painted by G. Morland. Engraved by J.R. Smith.
London: Pub.d. March 24, 1814, by S. Morgan N.º 32, Clipstone Street, Fitzroy Square.
Mezzotint. 480 x 655mm (18¾ x 25¾") very large margins. Tear entering inscription area bottom left taped; some creasing and surface soiling.
African natives rescue English passengers from a shipwreck, lighting bolts behind. A scene published as a contrasting pair to Morland's 'Slave Trade', which depicted the brutality of the slavers. When Morland's original painting of 'Slave Trade' was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1788 it was the first expression of abolitionist protest in the visual arts, a departure from Morland's usual English rural scenes. The publication of the two mezzotints based on the paintings was a departure for Smith: for the first time he embarked on a subscription scheme to pay for publication of prints. Fortunately for his business, which was suffering from the closure of the European market by the French Revolution, the prints were published during the peak of anti-slavery fervour was reaching its peak between 1788 and 1792
Frankau: 5, iii of iii; D'Oench, 314 and Chapter 5, 'The Slavery Prints'. Ex: Collection of Hon. Christopher Lennox-Boyd.
[Ref: 62700]  £950.00