678 - W. WATTS (1752-1851), Country house near Blackheath in Kent, 1782, Etching

W. WATTS (1752-1851), Country house near Blackheath in Kent, 1782, Etching William Watts (1752 - 1851 ): Country house near Blackheath in Kent Seat of Sir Gregory Page-Turner in Blackheath, Kent, with park and staffage, 1782, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Impression Quality: Excellent, harmonious print. Inscription: Lower right signed in the printing plate: "W. Watts del. et sculp.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "Seat of Sir Gregory Page-Turner Bart at Blackheath in Kent. / Published as the Act directs, Octr. 7th 1782, by W. Watts, Chelsea.". Date: 1782 Description: View of a representative country house in park-like surroundings. The multi-storey building with a flat roof cornice and column-supported portico is slightly offset to the right in the middle ground. Tall trees frame the composition to the left and right and increase the depth of the space. Several horses stand and rest on the open lawn; a small figure rides on the right and another appears at the edge of the picture. The light is even and clear, clouds enliven the sky. Delicate linear hatching models the architecture, treetops and ground. The line of sight runs from the framing tree trunks to the house as the centre of an ordered property and landscape. 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 house; Manor house; Portico; Columned architecture; Parkland; Trees; Horses; Riders; Lawn; Architectural view; Gutssitz; Kent; Blackheath; Veduta; Landscape print; Stage figures; Cloudy sky; Neoclassical architecture; 18th century; Classicism; Architecture; United Kingdom; Size: Paper: 20,2 cm x 24,4 cm (8 x 9,6 in), Plate: 15,0 cm x 19,9 cm (5,9 x 7,8 in), Depiction: 12,3 cm x 18,2 cm (4,8 x 7,2 in) Condition: Rather good condition. Slightly browned paper, minor traces of age and scattered small stains in margins; wide margin with visible platemark, overall neatly preserved. Pale liquid stain lower left. Slightly damaged paper surface and minimal marginal tear in the right margin. The corners of the sheet slightly bumped and creased.