DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.73058#0063
C^/^^.
CHAPTER VIL
Chatham.
^ /VCT , CT/TC fDni,C a11' widely various as are the works of
Uc/VL C, Bartolozzi, the large print of Copley's
y "Death of the Earl of Chatham,"* though it is not the most popular or
* " The Death of the Earl of Chatham," containing in all above sixty portraits, was painted by the celebrated
John Singleton Copley, R.A. (father of Lord Lyndhurst), who finished it just before he received his full membership
to the Royal Academy in 1779.
pleasing, must be considered one of the most important of his engravings. For the
subject deals with the tragic end of the man who, towards the close of his long career,
had, by his conduct, estranged nearly all his former friends; whom (says Lord Brougham)
George III. "most feared and most hated;" who after his death was found to live in
the affection of the nation ; and who, if he had not won a fitting resting-place in West-
minster Abbey, where he lies surrounded by Fox, Grattan, Mansfield, Canning, Wilber-
force, and other illustrious persons, would have rested under the dome of St. Paul's.
The subject must of necessity be a gloomy and sombre one; and although the engraving
is of great historical interest, it cannot by any means be ranked at present amongst
Bartolozzi's most popular works. The plate is of an unusual size—32 inches long by
26 inches high. Copley is said to have refused 1,500 guineas for his picture, thinking
that he could make more by having it engraved and selling the prints. For this purpose
he employed Bartolozzi, agreeing to give him £2,000 for his work, which sum Bartolozzi,
as we have said elsewhere, frequently stated did not pay him; as during the long period
the plate was in hand, he expended altogether a larger amount in assistance in "forward-
ing." Much of the assistance paid for by Bartolozzi was worse than useless, the work
having to be taken out and done over again. Testolini* was employed on it for three or
* Testolini was an indifferent Italian engraver, who induced Bartolozzi to send for him by submitting specimens of
work by other hands, and who resided witli his employer in the capacity of assistant for many months. He so ingratiated
himself into the good graces of Bartolozzi, that it was not until he had "assisted" in spoiling a great deal of work that
his want of ability was discovered. He afterwards kept a print-shop in Cornhill, and there are a few well-stippled plates
bearing his name ; but it is hardly unfair to assume that he employed other hands, and practised on the credulity of the
Public
CHAPTER VIL
Chatham.
^ /VCT , CT/TC fDni,C a11' widely various as are the works of
Uc/VL C, Bartolozzi, the large print of Copley's
y "Death of the Earl of Chatham,"* though it is not the most popular or
* " The Death of the Earl of Chatham," containing in all above sixty portraits, was painted by the celebrated
John Singleton Copley, R.A. (father of Lord Lyndhurst), who finished it just before he received his full membership
to the Royal Academy in 1779.
pleasing, must be considered one of the most important of his engravings. For the
subject deals with the tragic end of the man who, towards the close of his long career,
had, by his conduct, estranged nearly all his former friends; whom (says Lord Brougham)
George III. "most feared and most hated;" who after his death was found to live in
the affection of the nation ; and who, if he had not won a fitting resting-place in West-
minster Abbey, where he lies surrounded by Fox, Grattan, Mansfield, Canning, Wilber-
force, and other illustrious persons, would have rested under the dome of St. Paul's.
The subject must of necessity be a gloomy and sombre one; and although the engraving
is of great historical interest, it cannot by any means be ranked at present amongst
Bartolozzi's most popular works. The plate is of an unusual size—32 inches long by
26 inches high. Copley is said to have refused 1,500 guineas for his picture, thinking
that he could make more by having it engraved and selling the prints. For this purpose
he employed Bartolozzi, agreeing to give him £2,000 for his work, which sum Bartolozzi,
as we have said elsewhere, frequently stated did not pay him; as during the long period
the plate was in hand, he expended altogether a larger amount in assistance in "forward-
ing." Much of the assistance paid for by Bartolozzi was worse than useless, the work
having to be taken out and done over again. Testolini* was employed on it for three or
* Testolini was an indifferent Italian engraver, who induced Bartolozzi to send for him by submitting specimens of
work by other hands, and who resided witli his employer in the capacity of assistant for many months. He so ingratiated
himself into the good graces of Bartolozzi, that it was not until he had "assisted" in spoiling a great deal of work that
his want of ability was discovered. He afterwards kept a print-shop in Cornhill, and there are a few well-stippled plates
bearing his name ; but it is hardly unfair to assume that he employed other hands, and practised on the credulity of the
Public