441 - W. WATTS (*1752) after DALBY (*1794), Hooton in Cheshire, 1780, Etching

W. WATTS (*1752) after DALBY (*1794), Hooton in Cheshire, 1780, Etching William Watts (1752 - 1851 ) after David Dalby (1794 - 1836 ): Hooton in Cheshire Hooton in Cheshire, country estate of Sir Wm Stanley in wide parkland, 1780, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Impression Quality: Quite excellent, harmonious print, clearly characterised Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "D. Dalby delt / W. Watts sculp.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "Hooton in Cheshire, the Seat of Sir Wm Stanley Bart. / Published as the Act directs, Sep.r 2, 1780, by W. Watts, Kemp's Row, Chelsea.". Date: 1780 Description: View of a detached, Neoclassical country house in a wide park landscape. The three-storey building with a central risalit, triangular gable and regularly placed windows stands slightly left of centre on a gently sloping lawn. Tall groups of trees frame the scene on both sides and create strong chiaroscuro contrasts. On the right, small staffage figures on a path and grazing animals enliven the area; further trees, water and low hills appear in the background. The sky is streaked with clouds. Delicate lines, dense hatching and graduated tonal values model the foliage, architecture and terrain and deepen the space. Source: William Watts (1752 -1851 ) The seats of the nobility and gentry, in a collection of the most interesting and picturesque views, 1779 | Book, Architecture Keywords: country estate; manor house; park landscape; trees; staffage figures; grazing animals; path; cloudy sky; architectural view; manor house; landscape print; veduta; England; Cheshire; gabled building; tree frame; distant view; lawn; 18th century; Classicism; Architecture; United Kingdom; Size: Paper: 20,0 cm x 23,8 cm (7,9 x 9,4 in), Plate: 15,6 cm x 20,1 cm (6,1 x 7,9 in), Depiction: 12,5 cm x 18,2 cm (4,9 x 7,2 in) Condition: Good condition. Slightly browned sheet with light foxing and age spots, wide margins and minor traces of use in the margins; overall, typical for its age. The corners of the sheet are minimally bumped.