1822 Antique Prints by Hogarth: The Times Plates 1 & 2: Heath Ed.

Description: On offer: an original (i.e. not a later reproduction) pair of desirable antique prints "The Times Plate 1" and "The Times Plate II." These engravings were originally intended as a protest against the war-like policies pursued by the Government. These engravings contain some of his most pessimistic imagery upon the political machinations and corruptions of the day. "The Times", Plate Two, in fact was suppressed by William Hogarth, and then his widow, and was not published until 1790 when John Boydell printed the plate for his set of original William Hogarth engravings. The Times, Plate I sets out to defend King George III and the ministry of the Earl of Bute. A fire, symbolic of war, has broken out in the background buildings. Each of these buildings represents a nation. The sign with the two men shaking hands represents Spain, the two headed eagle, Germany, and the lily, France. This wide sweeping conflagration has spread to the globe, to the right. Towering above his supporters by means of stilts is William Pitt, who is fanning the fire. Around his neck he wears a large millstone on which is inscribed '3000 L per annum', indicating his retirement pension. A fire engine occupies the center of the scene. It represents both Britain and the King ('GR'). Aided by a Scot and other loyal supporters the King attempts to put out the fire within the globe. Above the engine flies a dove of peace. From the Temple Coffee House three individuals direct their water hoses not at the globe but at the King. The faceless character occupying the lower window is Earl Temple, Pitt's brother-in law. The signs to the left all refer to Pitt and his supporters. One sign, 'Alive From America' advertises wealth to be gained from colonial exploitation. In the foreground to the right are the refugees who have fled the European war. Two children and one adult have recently died. An insane man plays his fiddle. Turning such misery to financial gain, A Dutch merchant happily smokes his pipe to the lower left corner. The Times, Plate II. Occupying the center of the image is a statue of King George III. Water is drawn from this statue (by Lord Bute) and distributed to the shrubs around it. Royal favor is thus given. The largest shrub to the left is marked 'Culloden', and represents the Duke of Cumberland, who defeated the Scots at the bloody battle of that name. In the foreground to the right a gardener is busy dumping some shrubs (former favorites of the king) into the moat. His hat indicates that he is Henry Fox. He also trips over a roller on which the amount of national debt is written. To the left sits Parliament, whose members sleep and chat or shoot at the dove of peace above the head of the statue. The figure with the longest and most damaging gun is William Pitt. In the background to the right construction is under way for the building known as the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts. They are busy hoisting up a large palette on which the word, 'Premium', is inscribed. This refers to the custom of offering prizes to young artists, a custom William Hogarth was more than suspicious of. Below this building only a sprinkle of water remains for the general population. None reaches the maimed and crippled war veterans who are blocked from seeing the king. The ghost, Ms. Fanny (Conspiracy), and Wilkes (Defamation) receive punishment in the pillory. DATE PRINTED: c.1822 using Hogarth's original plate first published in 1762/1790 (dated on the prints). SIZE: The printed area of each print is approximately 30.5 x 25.5 cm, 12 x 10 inches (large) on a sheet 63.5 x 48 cm. 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. A few age spots in the right margin not impacting the printed images.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: 2024-12-28T11:40:37.000Z

Shipping Cost: 19.44 GBP