1756 (1822) Antique Prints by Hogarth: The Invasion, France: Heath Ed.

Description: On offer: an original (i.e. not a later reproduction) pair of desirable antique prints "France Plate 1st" and "France Plate 2d". The outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756 and the simultaneous movements of French troops to the ports of Le Havre and Brest raised fears of a French invasion of Britain. In response to this prospect William Hogarth etched a pair of plates on this topic, The Invasion. This first plate shows French troops preparing to embark for England. In the foreground a monk surveys a sledge filled with torture implements (playing on widespread British fears of popery and the Inquisition). The soldiers behind are ragged and starving. This second plate shows British troops, some of whom are performing drills in the background while others are sat outside an inn. The inn is named 'Duke of Cumberland', a reference to the last time the French (backing Prince Charles Edward Stuart) attempted to invade England and were defeated at Culloden. A grendadier is painting a caricature of the king of France on a wall, much to the amusement of his companions. The scene suggests that the British army is both disciplined enough to repel any invasion (as shown by the soldiers in the background) but also that their morale is high and that they are not perturbed by the possible challenge ahead. Many aspects of these prints, including the satire on Catholicism and the general underfeeding of the French population, were present in Hogarth's earlier anti-French satire 'The Gate of Calais'. Printed from the original Hogarth plates. DATE PRINTED: c.1822 using Hogarth's original plate first published in 1756 (dated on the prints). SIZE: The printed area of each is approximately 38 x 32.5 cm, 15 x 12.75 inches (large). ARTIST/CARTOGRAPHER/ENGRAVER: Designed and etched by William Hogarth. William Hogarth FRSA (10 November 1697 – 26 October 1764) was an English painter, printmaker, pictorial satirist, social critic, and editorial cartoonist. His work ranged from realistic portraiture to comic strip-like series of pictures called "modern moral subjects", perhaps best known being his moral series A Harlot's Progress, A Rake's Progress and Marriage A-la-Mode. Knowledge of his work is so pervasive that satirical political illustrations in this style are often referred to as "Hogarthian". PROVENANCE: Published in 'The Works of William Hogarth, from the original plates restored by James Heath', London: Baldwin and Cradock. The Heath edition was the last to print directly from Hogarth's original engraved plates. All 'Hogarth' prints appearing after this date are merely copies with recut plates.TYPE: Antique copper plate etching and engraving printed on paper. VERSO: There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is blank. CONDITION: Good. Suitable for framing. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Virtually all antiquarian maps and prints are subject to some normal aging due to use and time which is not significant unless otherwise stated. Plate 1 has a split without loss in the bottom margin well away from the printed image.AUTHENTICITY: This is an authentic antique print, published at the date stated above. I do not offer reproductions. It is not a modern copy. The term 'original' when applied to a print means that it was printed at the first or original date of publication; it does not imply that the item is unique. RETURNS POLICY: I offer a no questions returns policy. All I ask is that you pay return shipping and mail back to me in original condition.POSTAGE / SHIPPING COSTS: I only charge postage for the first print ordered. There is no additional postage charge if you order more than one print. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: . Please explore my ebay shop for more antique prints. Track Page Views With Auctiva's FREE Counter

Price: 175 GBP

Location: Marlow

End Time: 2025-01-09T11:07:43.000Z

Shipping Cost: 19.44 GBP