Eve. "As I bent down to look, just opposite A shape within the watery gleam appear'd, bending to look on me."

Method Stipple engraving
Artist Francesco Bartolozzi after Thomas Stothard
Published [c.1822]
Dimensions Image 128 x 270 mm, Plate 248 x 388 mm, Sheet 310 x 470 mm
Notes A proof plate of Adam and Eve, originally engraved for Jeffryes & Co.'s publication of Milton's Paradise Lost (1792-3). Bartolozzi's Milton plates were reprinted a number of times in the early 19th century. In 1815, they were reprinted as an illustrative set by John Hill, and in 1818, were combined with Bartolozzi's Shakespeare plates by H. M'Lean to 'form an elegant library accompaniment to the various editions of these authors' (De Vesme & Calabi, 1928: 438). The original publication line, for Jeffryes & Co, has been removed from the current printing.

In the illustration, Eve's admission of Vanity is given form. To the left of the scene, Eve sees her reflection for the first time in a small pool, and is pleased with her appearance. Above her head, Satan, in the garb of an angel explains that her image comes and goes as she does. To the right, Adam sleeps.

Thomas Stothard (17th August 1755 - 27th April 1834) was an English painter, illustrator, and engraver, best known for his illustrations to poetic work. He is particularly noted for his illustrations to the poems of Ossian, purported to be the author of an epic cycle published by James Macpherson and commonly hailed as a progenitor of the British Romantic movement.

Francesco Bartolozzi (21st September 1727 - 7th March 1815) was an Italian engraver, best known for his engravings for Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery, and those after Angelica Kauffman and Cipriani. Working initially on landscape and architectural engravings in Venice and Rome, in 1764 he moved to London, which began his most prolific period.

Condition: Foxing and waterstaining, tears to top margin not affecting image, gilt edged sheet with paper watermarked '1822.'
Framing unmounted
Price £70.00
Stock ID 36367

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