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The Happy Peasants, James Mason Engraving, Boydel Publsihing

The Houghton Gallery series have been viewed as some of the preeminent mezzotint engravings in the history of British art. The eminent publisher, John Boydell (1719 – 1804) commissioned this series of mezzotint engravings after the celebrated paintings that were once part of Sir Robert Walpole’s (1676 – 1745) collection. Sir Robert Walpole, considered the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, resided at Houghton in Norfolk, England. The paintings in the Houghton Gallery were considered one of 18th centuries largest, most famous and exceptional art collections; however by 1778, due to mounting debt, the majority of the galleries contents were sold by Robert’s grandson, George Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford (1730 – 1791) to Catherine the Great of Russia (1729 – 1796). John Boydell chose the finest engravers to engrave a series of mezzotints of Houghton’s key works. In total, one hundred and twenty-eight plates were created by the time the Houghton Hall series was completed in 1788. Imagine our delight when we came across this historic James Mason (1710 - 1785) engraving, The Happy Peasants , after Herman van Swanevelt (1603 – 1655) by J. Farington (1747 – 1821). The Happy Peasants engraving was drawn by English landscape painter and diarist Joseph Farington, who studied with Richard Wilson (1714 – 1782) and joined the Royal Academy upon its founding in 1785. He and his brother George went to Houghton to draw the painting collection of Sir Robert Walpole prior to the paintings export to Catherine the Great of Russia. English landscape engraver, James Mason engraved The Happy Peasants, which was published January 2, 1775, in Cheapside London. James Mason was very eminent in his line and his works are held in great esteem. The Happy Peasants engraving has a vellum covering and measures, 15.00 H X 18.00” W, with the image size of, 12.50” H X 15.00” W. Please check out the Related Product links below to view more mezzotint engravings from John Boydell’s Houghton Gallery series. Details   Item# R286F Quantity 1 item(s) available Height 15.00" Width 18.25" Circa 1775 Price: Options   Quantity 1  Add to cart

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