675 - J. GRESSE (*1740) after WATTS (*1752), Cannons in Middlesex, 1782, Etching

J. GRESSE (*1740) after WATTS (*1752), Cannons in Middlesex, 1782, Etching John Alexander Gresse (around 1740 - 1794 ) after William Watts (1752 - 1851 ): Cannons in Middlesex View of Cannons in Middlesex, country seat of Wm Hallett Esqr, 1782, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Impression Quality: Quite excellent, harmonious pressure, delicate and clear. Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "J. A. Gresse del. / W. Watts sculp.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "Cannons in Middlesex; the Seat of Wm Hallett Esqr. / Published as the Act directs Jan.y 1. 1752, by W. Watts, Chelsea.". Date: 1782 Description: Extensive park landscape with a central line of sight to a detached, two-storey manor house behind an enclosure and gate pillars. In the foreground, several horses graze loosely distributed across the meadow; to the side, tall groups of trees frame the composition like a backdrop. A straight driveway leads up to the building and emphasizes the effect of depth. Tiny staffage figures enliven the area in front of the gate. The sky is filled with moving masses of clouds, creating a dramatic lighting effect over the house, trees and lawn. Delicate, predominantly horizontal and intersecting hatching models the sky, foliage and ground. The relationship between architecture and landscape emphasizes representation, ownership and orderly land 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: manor house; country house; park landscape; horses; trees; driveway; gate pillars; enclosure; staffage figures; cloudy sky; England; Middlesex; architectural view; veduta; print graphic; hatching; pasture; manor house; 18th century; Classicism; Architecture; United Kingdom; Size: Paper: 20,2 cm x 25,7 cm (8 x 10,1 in), Plate: 15,2 cm x 19,5 cm (6 x 7,7 in), Depiction: 12,3 cm x 17,7 cm (4,8 x 7 in) Condition: Good condition. Slightly browned sheet with age-related paper toning, light stains and subtle marginal discolouration; preserved with wide margins. A delicate scratch in the image on the right. The corners of the sheet minimally bumped. The upper left corner of the sheet is minimally torn.