RAFTS OF TIMBER 1803 Russia Etching John Atkinson

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Title: RAFTS OF TIMBER A very rare and unusual soft ground etching with watercolor Publisher : James Walker Date : 1803 Folio Size: Medium Folio Sheet Size: Note: These lithographs were photographed lying on a sheet of bright white buffered 14 by 18 inch paper (full sheet size) so that you can better judge the actual size of the sheet that the image is printed on. The lithos are not add to the sheet used in the photography. Artist: John Augustus Atkinson , artist, English, b London, 1775; d ?London, ?1831-3). English painter and printmaker. At the age of nine he was taken to live in St Petersburg by his uncle, James Walker, who was an engraver in the service of Catherine II, Empress of Russia. Atkinson subsequently gained the patronage of the Empress and her son, Paul I ( reg 1796-1801), executing a series of paintings on Russian history (e.g. Victory of the Cossacks of the Don over the Tartars ) for them. He returned to England in 1801 and by 1808 was exhibiting as an Associate at the Royal Society of Painters in Water-Colours, showing such literary and patriotic pictures as Shakespeare's 'Seven Ages' . A series of his soft-ground etchings, The Miseries of Human Life, by One of the Wretched (London, BM), was published in London in 1807. He also produced sets of engravings of military costumes, such as A Picturesque Representation of the Naval, Military and Miscellaneous Costumes of Great Britain (London, 1812) and painted numerous watercolours (e.g. HRH The Prince Regent, the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia Attended by Marshal Bl?cher at the Review in Hyde Park, 20 June 1814 , c. 1814; London, N. Army Mus.). In 1815 Josiah Boydell (1752-1817) sent him to the site of the Battle of Waterloo to collaborate with Arthur William Devis on a painting of the event (watercolour study, London, BM). In 1819 the painting was engraved by John Burnet. Atkinson aspired towards recognition as a painter of historical subjects and competed unsuccessfully in a competition sponsored by the British Institution for a military painting to hang in the Royal Military Hospital in Chelsea, London. Scene description: This is a print taken at some point in its life from the publication: From " A Picturesque Representation of the Manners, Customs, and Amusements of the Russians, in one hundred coloured plates; with an accurate explanation of each plate, in English and French", by John Augustus Atkinson and James Walker. (it was published by Bulmer in 3 folio volumes London, 1812). {Atkinson accompanied his uncle, James Walker, to St. Petersburg when Walker was appointed engraver to Empress Catherine; they returned in 1801} As J. R. Abbey wrote, "These plates of Atkinson's show the spontaneity and spirit possible when the artist is his own engraver....The coloring is skillfully done, in soft washes." Agreed S. T. Prideaux:, "Atkinson's style is exceedingly free and spirited, his composition graceful and his colouring light and delicate." [Abbey, Travel in Aquatint and Lithography , 223. Prideaux, Aquatint Engraving , p. 319] Condition: Lovely colors, displays very nicely, tape residue on the reverse NOTE: I will be listing quite a few more of this series over the next few weeks I GUARANTEE THAT THIS IS AN ORIGINAL, I DO NOT COLLECT COPIES (except by accident and then I don't sell them!!) Please check my other auctions for more lithographs and rare books I will try to ship this print the week the auction ends Questions: I try to answer any and all questions posed to me. If I am busy with my regular job I won’t have direct access to the litho but I will endeavor to provide the best answer that I can. If you need a specific picture or measurement please let me know. Bidding: Generally I start the lithographs off at a low price (far less than the prices listed in Cohenour); however t will be a select few that do not start in the low price range. I rarely use reserves and only... read more

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