HOWITT, Samuel (circa 1756-1822)

Hunting of Jackalls/La Chase aux Jackals

[Pl. 31] London: Edward Orme, 1818. Aquatint engraving, coloured by hand, by Viveres, after Howitt from an original sketch by Williamson. Very good condition apart from some overall light soiling and several skillfully repaired tears in the top and bottom margins. Sheet size: 18 x 22 3/8 inches. Plate mark: 14 3/4 x 19 1/4 inches.

During the nineteenth century, field sports, particularly the hunting of wild game, were a common colonial leisure activity in India and Africa. Large-game hunting, the pursual of animals such as elephants, lions, and tigers, was considered to be the most prestigious, thrilling, and dangerous type of hunting. As pictured in this fine image from Williamson's 'Oriental Field Sports', huntsmen were frequently accompanied by several hunting dogs.

One of the finest and most detailed works on Indian Sport and wildlife, these images exemplify not only the native flora and fauna, but capture the excitement of the hunt and provide "a faithful representation of [the] picturesque country, together with the manners and customs of both the native and European inhabitants". (Prideaux) Captain Thomas Williamson, a British officer of the East India Company, served in Bengal for 20 years. An accomplished amateur artist, his sketches were then worked up into drawings by Samuel Howitt and engraved for publication. Samuel Howitt, artist and sportsman, was largely self-taught in his profession, though he belonged to the artistic circles of the day. He is considered by some critics to be second only to Stubbs in the ranks of British animal painters. He is well-known for his sporting scenes of racing and hunting and for scenes depicting both conventional and exotic animals like the rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, bear, deer and buffalo.

Cf. Abbey Travel 427; cf. Mellon 88; cf. Nissen BBI 4416; cf. Prideaux, p. 282; cf. Schwerdt II, pp.297-298; cf. Tooley 508.

Item #8521

Price: $900.00