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Silver Rock Melon: A Framed 19th C. Color Engraving by George Brookshaw

Creator: George Brookshaw
Offered by: Timeless Intaglio – Rare Prints, Maps & Books

Description
This is a 19th century colored aquatint and stipple engraving finished by hand entitled "Silver Rock Melon", drawn and engraved by George Brookshaw and published in London in 1812 as plate 67 in his 'Pomona Britannica; or, A Collection of the Most Esteemed Fruits'. It depicts a Silver Rock Melon still on the vine, but the melon lies on a heater green mat. A wedge of the melon has been dissected to reveal its inner anatomy, including the seeds. The melon skin is a heather and light green color, while the inner portions are a light peach color. The vine and leaves are shown attractive shades of light green and there are soft yellow flowers. The plant is displayed on a light brown textured background with shadows to impart 3-dimensionality. The scene is reminiscent of an engraving in an 18th century artistically stylized human anatomy atlas. There are wide white margins. The title and inscription lies within the lower border.

This striking engraving is presented in a reddish brown decorative wood frame with a darker brown scroll-work outer trim and a gold-colored inner fillet and a thick heather green mat. The frame measures 25.75" high, 21.5" wide and 1.13" deep. It is glazed with UV conservation glass. There is a short thin vertical line of discoloration in the lower margin through the word "melon" and a tiny spot in the upper margin on the left. The print and frame are otherwise in excellent condition.

There is a second Brookshaw engraving that is framed in identical moulding, although a slightly different size and a different color mat. t depicts a cluster of grapes. The two prints would make a striking display pairing. It can be viewed by typing LU1173211327492 in the search field to be taken to the listing. A discount is available for purchase of the pair.

Brookshaw spent nearly ten years to create 'Pomona Brittanica'. It is considered a masterpiece among 19th-century British illustrated botanical books due to the illustrations that Brookshaw both drew and engraved for the book. He combined aquatint, stipple and line engraving techniques with unique elegant compositions of his subjects portrayed in rich pleasing colors contrasted by striking and dramatic deep chocolate brown backgrounds that make the fruit appear to float off of the paper. His compositions achieved a unique level of artistic style and beauty combined with academic and scientific content that was rare among the work of other artists of the time.

George Brookshaw (1751–1823) began his career as a cabinet-maker specializing in furniture decorated with borders of flowers. He became a professional art teacher and in 1797 he published an instructional guide entitled "A New Treatise on Flower Painting". He eventually became a professional artist and author, publishing 'Pomona Brittanica' in 1812, late in his career. His goal was to create a visual display of some of the best examples of fruit available in England at the time, which he hoped would encourage gardeners to experiment and to be creative in their gardens. 90 striking drawings and engravings of over 250 varieties of fruit are illustrated, including apples, peaches, melons, grapes and pears. Some of the subjects for his illustrations were found in the royal gardens at Hampton Court, Kensington Gardens and the Prince of Wales' estate in Blackheath.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Period:	19th Century
Condition:	Good.
Creation Date:	1812
Styles / Movements:	Other
Incollect Reference #:	606959

Dimensions

W.	21.5 in;	H.	25.75 in;	D.	1.13 in;
W.	54.61 cm;	H.	65.41 cm;	D.	2.87 cm;

Message from Seller:

Timeless Intaglio is an online gallery of rare and collectable antiquarian prints, maps and books. Although we specialize in all forms of vintage printed works on paper, the majority were created with the intaglio method of transferring ink from a plate, usually copper, to paper with a technique utilizing pressure generated by a press. Email us directly: rbreiman@timelessintaglio.com