 |
|
|
|
|
|
DUNKARTON, Richard & William WARD, after William Redmore BIGG
The Soldier's Widow: or, school boys' collection... De jeunes ecolliers font une souscription en faveur de la Veuve d'un Soldat; The Sailor's Orphans; or, the young ladies subscription... De jeunes pensionnaires se cotisent pour assister les Enfans Orphelins d'un Matelot
London: Published by William Redmore Bigg, 2 August 1800, and 1 June 1800. A pair of mezzotints. (The Soldier's Widow) engraved by Richard Dunkarton, and (The Sailor's Orphans) engraved by William Ward. Both in good condition with the exception of small marginal tears. (The Soldier's Widow) has a skillfully repaired upper right corner. Image size (including text): 18 x 23 3/8 inches. Sheet size: 21 3/4 x 26 3/4 inches.
A pair of beautiful mezzotints after the sentimental genre paintings of William Redmore Bigg
William Redmore Bigg gained a reputation as an excellent genre painter, the sentimental morals and pretty appearance of his accomplished paintings made them extremely popular in their day. In subject and style Bigg echoed the work of his master Edward Penny, who also specialized in painting genre scenes with moralizing overtones. He was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy and the British Institution, and proved a continued source of inspiration for contemporary engravers. Bigg remains one of the most celebrated English genre painters whose, picturesque characterizations of the lower classes, express the sentiment and taste of his age. This pair of engravings is a wonderful example of Bigg's sentimental style of painting and his use of moral overtones to promote charitable behavior. In the first image, nine schoolboys are gathered round the soldier's widow and his child. They have stopped their game of cricket and kite flying, and having examined the soldier's sword are now in somber mood as they thoughtfully make a collection to give to the destitute family. In the second, a mother has brought her daughters and a group of their friends on a mission of mercy to the cottage of the sailor's mother and his three orphaned children. With universal looks of compassion, they offer their gifts to the grieving family.
|
#6507 $4,750.00 
|
© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
