Mad About Mezzotint: At the Court of George III

A beautiful catalog accompanies an exhibition celebrating the bicentenary of King George III's 60-year reign, featuring one mezzotint portrait for each year of his rule. The mezzotint originated in Germany in 1642 but reached its golden age in England in the eighteenth century, thanks to the new king and queen, expanding court, and flourishing commercial interests overseas. The catalog includes an introduction on the history of mezzotint and a full catalogue of the works, with indexes of artists and persons depicted.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 148 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2022
Publisher: Paul Holberton Publishing Ltd

This captivating catalogue accompanies an exhibition commemorating the bicentenary of King George III's 60-year reign. It showcases a remarkable mezzotint portrait for each year of his majestic reign.

Mad about Mezzotint delves into the history of mezzotint during King George III's reign, exploring three captivating aspects: the awe-inspiring mezzotint technique, the captivating history of the form in the late eighteenth and Regency periods, and the enduring fascination with London as a subject.

While the mezzotint originated in Germany as early as 1642, its golden age truly flourished in England during the eighteenth century. Its remarkable beauty lay in its ability to capture the subtlety of tone found in oil paintings. Crowds were mesmerized by this new technique, eagerly embracing it as a means to elevate their work and disseminate their images to a broader audience. The conditions in eighteenth-century London were perfectly conducive to this revolutionary printing revolution. England had a new king and queen on the throne, an ever-expanding court, and flourishing commercial interests overseas. The city of London was experiencing an astonishing expansion, with money pouring into the capital.

This fully illustrated publication offers an introduction to the history of mezzotint, along with a comprehensive catalogue featuring the magnificent works. It also includes comprehensive indexes of artists and individuals depicted, showcasing the talents of Valentine Green, John Hoppner, John Jones, Joshua Reynolds, George Romney, and Charles Turner. The portraits depicted include King George III, George, Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Admiral Horatio Nelson, and Earl and Lady Spencer.

Through its meticulous exploration of these three facets, Mad about Mezzotint provides a captivating journey into the world of mezzotint during King George III's reign, shedding light on the artistic, historical, and cultural significance of this remarkable printing technique.

Dimension: 270 x 220 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913645359