Mezzotint of David Beatty, 1st Earl
Beatty; (1871-1936), Admiral. ..
Distinguished for gunboat campaigns on the
Nile and in China during the Boxer Rebellion, in 1910 Beatty became
naval secretary to Winston Churchill. His prompt action in August 1914
at Heligoland Bight averted naval disaster, and was followed by the
interception of the German Fleet at Dogger Bank and the sinking of the
Blücher. Again his advance initiatives secured victory for the
British Fleet under Admiral Jellicoe at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
As Commander of the Grand Fleet from 1916, Beatty accepted the
surrender of the German High Sea Fleet in 1918. From 1921 to 1927 as
First Sea Lord he maintained Admiralty control of the Fleet Air Arm,
and created a naval Department of Scientific Research at Teddington.
by John Cother WEBB (1855-1927), after
Hugh Goldwin RIVIERE (1869-1956) mezzotint, published 1919. . . . . .
Page 79 x 59 cm; Image 39 x 49 cm pencil signed dated etc 98% MINT . .
almost one slightly chewed corner unbelievably good from the edition of
250 produced in 1919. . . . . .some faint foxing in the blank margins.
. John Cother Webb, was in his lifetime called the "doyen" of English
mezzotinters. Born at Torquay in 1855, he was almost predestined for
the Royal Navy, but a chance introduction to Tom Landseer by a mutual
friend, induced Webb's father to give young Webb the chance for an
artistic life.
He entered Landseer's studio in 1869.
Landseer was a severe taskmaster. Helpful and admirable as a teacher,
but fastidious in his requirements, he would tolerate no "easy" methods
in his pupils.Webb's early works were on steel as engravings, but his
preference was for copper and acid. All of his plates were worked by
himself from beginning to end, employing a hand made-rocker which he
fashioned for himself in 1879. His first exhibition at the Royal
Academy was at the age of 21 in 1875.
Webb was responsible for the promotion of
the mezzotint as a desirable item for collecting. His action resulted
in phenomenal increases in prices for works in this medium in the year
1917 and 1918.Medals etc indicate this wasa from the 1910 portrait
Testament to his skill and fame as a
London artist, his edition of Admiral Sir David Beatty, after Hugh
Riviere, sold out the edition of 250 promptly in 1919 at 550 Pounds
Sterling for each print, equivalent to $2,500.00 each in 1919 dollars!
5 £125 inc delivery
