| Method | Mezzotint |
| Artist | John Dixon after Sir Joshua Reynolds |
| Published | c.1765 |
| Dimensions | Image 325 x 252 mm, Sheet 354 x 255 mm |
| Notes |
A half-length portrait of Susanna Jane Davidson after Reynolds (Mannings 483); seated holding a lamb on her lap and a wreath of flowers, her hair is upswept with pearls in it. Artists names written in ink in inscription space. With Mrs E. Hamilton's collection stamp on verso. Susannah Jane Davidson (1747 - 1767) was the daughter of William Davidson of Muirhouse, a merchant in Rotterdam. According to Chaloner Smith, she died suddenly at the age of 20, and her grief-struck parents are said to have destroyed the plate and as many impressions as they could find. It was certainly a private plate, as there never was any publication line. John Dixon (1740 c. - 1811) trained as painter and engraver in the Dublin Society School. He moved to London in 1765 and worked as a mezzotinter. In 1775 he married a rich widow, and henceforth only engraved for amusement. Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) was one of the most important figures of the eighteenth century art world. He was the first President of the Royal Academy and Britain's leading portrait painter. Through a series of lectures on the Discourses on Art at the Royal Academy he defined the style later known as the Grand Manner, an idealised Classical aesthetic. He had a profound impact on the theory and practice of art and helped to raise the status of portrait painting into the realm of fine art. A flamboyant socialite, Reynolds used his social contacts to promote himself and advance his career becoming one of the most prominent portrait painters of the period.. Chaloner Smith S 13 ii/ii; Hamilton p 95 ii/ii, Lennox-Boyd i/ii, O'Donoghue 2 Ex. Col.: Hon. Christopher Lennox-Boyd Condition: Trimmed to plate and laid to album page. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £600.00 |
| Stock ID | 16268 |