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SMITH, Thomas [known as Smith of Derby]
Set of 4 Views: No. 1: A View of Darwentwater & c. from Crow-Park, No. 2: A View of Thirlmeer, & c, No. 3: A View of Ennerdale Broadwater, & c, No.4: A View of Windermeer.
Published by Thomas Smith, 1767. Engraving with beautiful hand-colour. Printed on laid paper. No. 1: In excellent condition with the exception of being trimmed on the platemark on the top and bottom margins. Image size: 14 1/8 x 20 3/4 inches. Sheet size: 15 3/8 x 22 3/8 inches. No. 2: In excellent condition with the exception of being trimmed on the platemark on the top and bottom margins. Tiny tear on bottom margin just inside platemark. Image size: 14 1/8 x 20 3/4 inches. Sheet size: 15 3/8 x 22 1/2 inches. No. 3: In excellent condition with the exception of being trimmed on the platemark on the top and bottom margins. Image size: 14 1/8 x 20 3/4 inches. Sheet size: 15 1/2 x 22 7/16 inches. No. 4: In excellent condition. Image size: 14 1/8 x 21 inches. Platemark size: 15 1/4 x 21 3/4 inches. Sheet size: 15 7/16 x 22 inches.
A stunning set of four views of the Lake District by Smith of Derby, one of the most celebrated English landscape painters.
Towards the middle of the eighteenth century a trend developed amongst English artists and printmakers, which sought to visually record the natural beauties of England and Wales. Sparked by a sense of national confidence and patriotism, English printmakers began to publish topographical prints of the important sights in the British Isles. In addition to being a visual record of the countryside they were meant to encourage public recognition of the beauty and history of England. They were aimed at English and foreign tourists who desired a memento of their travels, or at those vicarious tourists who collected topographical prints instead of traveling.
One of the earliest and most influential landscape artists to begin this trend was Thomas Smith who came to be known as "Smith of Derby". Smith traveled the north of England painting famous houses and beautiful views. He was one of the first artists to depict wild landscape scenes, which became immensely fashionable with the development of the "picturesque landscape" towards the end of the century. Smith's paintings not only captured the English countryside at the onset of the Industrial Revolution, but also recorded the activities of visiting tourists and local inhabitants. These works capture a period in England's history, which was forever changed by the wheels of progress. Before the mills and the factories came to dominate the landscape of northern England Smith depicted its wild beauty and breathtaking scenery. This beautiful set is a wonderful example of Smith's superior work.
Clayton The English Print 1688-1802 page 155-157
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#10658 $3,500.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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