‘FROM THE CELEBRITY OF A NEIGHBOURING PACK OF HOUNDS, YOU MAKE UP YOUR MIND TO HAVE A DAY WITH THEM, RIDE THIRTY MILES, THE EVENING BEFORE, THROUGH DEEP LANES, & PUT UP AT A SORRY PUBLIC HOUSE, MR. NO WINS’ BRITISH BRANDY, VERY BAD GIN. TO AMUSE YOURSELF, YOU BURN ROUND YOUR FINGERS, LISTENING TO A NOISY TAP COMPANY, TILL, JADED WITH FATIGUE, YOU RETIRE TO BED IN A ROOM LIGHTED SECOND HAND, NO FIREPLACE, UNDER THE NECESSITY OF LOOKING AFTER YOUR OWN HORSE; YOU RISE EARLY, AND ON OPENING THE BACK DOOR YOU DISCOVER THE WHOLE FACE OF THE COUNTRY COVERED WITH SNOW – SAY NOTHING OF THE PROSPECT OF YOUR AMUSEMENT FOR THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR DAYS.’

– Humorous winter scene showing a man stepping outside to deep snow, dismayed at a snow-covered landscape with a cow peering from behind a fence. Satirical take on countryside hunting trips.

In stock

Description

Medium: Etching with hand coloring on hand laid (verge) paper.

Sheet size: 25.5 x 18.1 cm (10.04 x 7.13 inch). Image size: 25.5 x 18.1 cm. (10.04 x 7.13 inch).

Condition: good, given age. Light creasing, foxing and soiling. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

HENRY THOMAS ALKEN, WINTER LANDSCAPE, SATIRE, HUNTING HUMOUR, RURAL SNOW, 19TH CENTURY PRINT, BRITISH COUNTRYSIDE, SPORTSMAN DISAPPOINTMENT | PCO-E30-43

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Likely published by Thomas McLean, London, early 19th century.

Biography engraver: Henry Thomas Alken (1785-1851) was an English painter and engraver best known for sporting subjects, especially fox hunting and coaching scenes. Working in both oil and watercolor, Alken was also a skilled caricaturist. He published prolifically between 1816-1831 and worked with notable publishers like Thomas McLean and Ackermann.