Country Ale House —
nothing could make one feel more at ease
Morland, George (1763 London 1804). Inside of a Country Ale House. The squire with his hounds behind the supposedly empty mug porter – a foaming new one just brought by the girl – looking up to the incoming waggoner showing a strong hare. On the side at the window another man sitting holding between his knees a child pointing at the dogs. Mezzotint printed in colors by William Ward I (1766 London 1826). 1797. Leafsize 44.5 x 54.9 cm.
Richardson p. 153; Collection of Morland prints in the British Museum section 2, portfolio VIII, 32 ( “fine” ); Mellon, Prints, 24. – Not in the Ward list of Nagler.
Trimmed within the broad white plate margin. – Printed from the already used plate as has to be accepted mostly because of the delicate mezzotint plate allowing little editions of about 50-60 copies only. – Upper and left margin with mounting strip of former framing.
The works by William Ward (“one of the best English mezzotint engravers”, Maedebach 1975 in Cat. 5 of the collections of the Veste Coburg) are distinguished by a special truth to nature. Completely under the influence of his brother-in-law Morland they became his best plates. And among these especially those of the graceful pastoral scenes.
Offer no. 10,922 / EUR 445. / export price EUR 423. (c. US$ 576.) + shipping
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