ROBERTSON, Archibald

Group of five views: [1]: [Bareges in the Pyrenees] after a painting by G. Barrett; [2]: View of the East Front of the Wonderful Natural Bridge of Veja; [3]: A View of Recoaro; [4]: [Falls of the Gava.] after a painting by G. Barrett; [5]: A View of the Lake of Wallenstat.

London: Published by A. Robertson Charles Street, St. James's Square, May 1, 1783. Coloured aquatints with gum arabic. Printed on watermarked laid paper. 1]: [Bareges in the Pyrenees] after a painting by G. Barrett. Proof before title. In excellent condition. Plate mark: 16 x 21 inches. Sheet size: 16 3/8 x 22 1/4 inches. [2]: View of the East Front of the Wonderful Natural Bridge of Veja: In excellent condition with the exception of a small tear in the lower margin. Plate mark: 16 x 20 7/8 inches. Sheet size: 16 1/2 x 21 7/8 inches. [3]: A View of Recoaro: In excellent condition. Plate mark: 16 x 21 inches. Sheet size: 16 1/2 x 21 7/8 inches. [4]: [Falls of the Gava] after a painting by G. Barrett. Proof before title. In excellent condition. Plate mark: 16 x 20 7/8 inches. Sheet size: 16 5/8 x 21 5/8 inches. [5]: A View of the Lake of Wallenstat: In excellent condition. Plate mark: 16 x 21 inches. Sheet size: 16 3/8 x 21 5/8 inches.

This is a stunning suite of aquatinted landscapes by the celebrated engraver Archibald Robertson from "Short Descriptive Account of the Pyrenean Part of Bigorre."

Archibald Robertson was an accomplished painter and engraver who specialized in aquatint landscapes. He was active in London between 1765 and 1786 and is recorded as exhibiting three landscape paintings at the Royal Academy between 1772 and 1775. Not much is known of Robertson's history, since he is often confused with the miniature painter Archibald Robertson, who was highly acclaimed in both England and America. Given the date, style, and medium of this suite of aquatints, it would seem more likely that these picturesque landscapes were executed by the London-based Robertson, who was known to be an accomplished aquatinter as well as a print seller. These handsome prints depict various sites of beauty throughout Europe. There are two proof prints, which makes it difficult to decipher their exact location, but the other four prints depict places famed for their natural beauty. Robertson has chosen to picture the celebrated Wallenstadt Lake in Switzerland, a favorite summer resort and eighteenth century tourist destination. He has also included a stunning view of the natural bridge in Veja, outside Verona, a tranquil view of the famous spa town Recoaro, in the province of Veneto, and a charming image of the Roman ruins in Aix-les-bains in France. The two proof titles are sites in the Pyrenees. The complete work consisted of seventeen prints. These were published between 1783-87 under the titleShort Descriptive Account of the Pyrenean Part of Bigorre. From which Twelve of the Subjects intended for this Publications are selected. The selection of sites is somewhat random, moving from Spain to France to Sicily, though they are all within what could be called a western Mediterranean region. The unifying factor is Robertson's extraordinary ability as a landscape engraver.

Le Blanc, Manuel de L'Amateur D'Estampes Vol III, p. 342; Benezit, Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs, et Graveurs vol. 11, p. 773.

Item #13273

Price: $6,000.00