J. Raphael Smith (1751-1812) - Stipple Engraving Charlotte at Werther's Tomb

Description

An early nineteenth century strike with hand colouring of a 1783 stipple engraving by John Raphael Smith (1751-1812) after Emma Crewe (1780-1850). First published by John Raphael Smith in London in 1783. The scene is from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's (1749-1832) epistolary novel 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' (1774). It was one of the most important novels in the 'Sturm und Drang' period in German literature and influenced the later Romantic movement. In order to end the suffering caused by his unrequited love for Charlotte, Werther kills himself and is buried between two lime trees. The novel ends with an intimation that Charlotte may die of a broken heart. She holds a book of poems by Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock (1724-1803), of whom Werther was a devotee. Signed and inscribed in plate with the date and title to the lower edge. On watermarked laid.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some foxing and discolouration. Trimmed to the plate line.

Size

28.2 x 27.2cm (11.1" x 10.7")
Sheet: 41.1 x 36.8cm (16.2" x 14.5")

Artist Biography

John Raphael Smith (1751-1812) was a British painter and mezzotinter. He reproduced some forty works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, some of which ranked among the masterpieces of mezzotint. Notable among these feats was one of Mr Banks, after a portrait by the Royal Academician Benjamin West, that was exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1773. Mezzotints of George Romney's portrait of 'The Children of Earl Gower' and Thomas Gainsborough's 'George, Prince of Wales' catapulted him into the Royal Household, appointed in 1784 as Mezzotint Engraver to the Prince of Wales. Of his complete oeuvres, over 400 works of mezzotint and stipple, included 120 genre and satirical works about ordinary life.

Smith became a London publisher from 1781, including among his clients the radical writer and artist William Blake. A prolific mentor of apprentices, he shared plates with at least thirty other London printers. In this group was J.M.W. Turner, Charles H. Hodges, William Ward, Thomas Girtin, and James Ward, and among his registered pupils were William Hilton, Charles Howard Hodges, Christiaan Josi, Samuel William Reynolds, James and William Ward, and Peter de Wint.

As an engraver, Smith occupies the very highest rank. His prints are delicate, excellent in drawing, and finely expressive of colour.

Emma Crewe (1780-1850) was a British amateur artist. Along with Diana Beauclerk (1734-1808) and Elizabeth Templetown (1747-1823), she contributed designs in the Romantic style to Josiah Wedgwood for reproduction in his studio in Rome. She was the daughter of John Crewe, 1st Baron Crewe, and his wife Frances Crewe, Lady Crewe.