| Method | Etching |
| Artist | James Bretherton after Henry William Bunbury |
| Published | Publish'd as the Act directs 26 Jany. 1773. By J. Bretherton no. 134. New Bond Street |
| Dimensions | Image 239 x 380, Plate 268 x 396, Sheet 286 x 414 mm |
| Notes |
One of a series of illustrations to Laurence Sterne's nine-volume novel 'The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman'. Uncle Toby marches from right to left, one crutch under his left arm and another pointing towards the fortifications built on the bowling green, where the 'Gate of St Nicolas' is flanked on each side by a jack-boot. In his left hand he holds out a copy of the London Gazette. Trim marches in front of his master with a pickaxe in his hands. On the ground behind is a grenadier's cap. Behind Uncle Toby is the sentry-box, in it is pasted up the plan of a fortification. The background is a rough paling behind which are trees. Shandy Hall appears behind the Gate of St. Nicolas. Beneath the design is engraved,'What an honest triumph in my Uncle Toby's Eyes as he march'd to the Ramparts with the Gazette in his hand & Trim with a pickaxe ready to execute the Contents; what intense pleasure in his Eyes as he stood over the Corporal! Heaven! Earth! Sea!' James Bretherton (fl. 1750-1799) was an etcher, dealer and publisher in London. His brother was Charles Bretherton. He is particularly associated with Henry William Bunbury, many of whose works he engraved and published. His stock of plates was auctioned in 1799. Henry William Bunbury (1750–1811) was an English caricaturist. He was the second son of Sir William Bunbury, 5th Baronet, of Mildenhall, Suffolk. He was educated at Westminster School and St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and soon showed a talent for drawing, especially for humorous subjects. His more serious efforts were no great success, but his caricatures are as famous as those of his contemporaries Thomas Rowlandson and James Gillray. His designs were usually etched by Darly and Bretherton, and (from 1780s) Dickinson. Ex. Col: Brigadier Noël Louis St Pierre Bunbury DSO (1890–1971) BM Satires 5213 Condition: Glue stains, light foxing and time toning. Tipped to an album page. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £250.00 |
| Stock ID | 45685 |