485 - W. WATTS (*1752) after NATES (18th), Broughton Tower in Lancashire, 1786, Etching

W. WATTS (*1752) after NATES (18th), Broughton Tower in Lancashire, 1786, Etching William Watts (1752 - 1851 ) after C. Nates (18th century): Broughton Tower in Lancashire Broughton Tower in Lancashire, country residence of John Gilpin Sawrey Esquire, 1786, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Impression Quality: Excellent, harmonious print. Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "C. Nates delt. / W. Watts sculp.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "Broughton Tower in Lancashire, the Seat of John Gilpin Sawrey Esqr / Published as the Act directs, June 1st 1786 by W. Watts, Chelsea.". Date: 1786 Description: A topographical landscape depiction shows a tower-like country house with a crenellated roof in the middle of park-like grounds. In front of the building are groups of trees, meadows and orderly fields; small staffage-like animals and a few figures animate the middle ground. Behind them, gently layered mountains rise. The sky is wide open and covered with long bands of clouds. The composition leads the viewer's gaze from the dark foreground across the light-coloured plain to the building in the centre and further into the distance. Delicate, even lines, dense hatching and graduated tonal values model space, vegetation and relief in a clear, calm order. 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: Landscape; Manor house; Tower; Parkland; Mountains; Valley; Trees; Meadow; Fields; Livestock; Staffage figures; Cloudy sky; Topography; Architecture; Manor; Print graphic; England; View; Country life; Panorama; 18th century; Classicism; Landscape; United Kingdom; Size: Paper: 20,5 cm x 25,5 cm (8,1 x 10 in), Plate: 14,9 cm x 19,9 cm (5,9 x 7,8 in), Depiction: 12,6 cm x 18,0 cm (5 x 7,1 in) Condition: Good condition. Slightly browned sheet with wide margins, scattered small traces of foxing and age toning as well as minor marginal imperfections; small stains within the image in the sky. The corners of the sheet are slightly bumped and creased.