New-York tribune., 1902-03-17
LONDON NOTES.
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY MEZZOTlNTS
RS-MARINES AND ARCHT-
TECTURALt DRAWINGS IN
WATERs COLORS =

of artistic expression. but iTN softened and re-
fined the processes Of engraving. and brought
the workman close to nature II was equally
effective FOR the reproduction ,of masterpieces
Of portraiture by Gainsborough. Reynolds and
Romney. and OF simple and unaffected genre
work like Morlands. At a later period the
mezzotint process Of passing from thalf darks
to middle tiEts and from half lights 70 full
lights, employed most successfully In en-
craving the works of Constable anO Turner.
and in reproducing harmonious effectSI of mas
terly composition. Cousens and other engrav-
ers in mezzOtint persevered in maintaining the
traditions OF the school. but the art declined as
the rket for engravings was enlarged. MeZ-
zotint plates were not adapted for the CONNER
cial requirements Of dealers. since they were
speedily worn. and the characteristic effects Of
sOftness ard delicacy were impaired. Mezzo-
tint is not. however. a lost art in England.
where II once fourshed the most effective
method Of reproducing eighteenth century work.
Six artists have heen employed for two years in
illustrating the works Of John Raphael Smith.
one Of the famous engravers in nezzotint OF
that century. and the results are convincing
proof that he beautiful still remains when
there is adequate encoura cement for bringing
il out its best.
The enterprise is that OF Messrs Macmillan
who are 10 publish in the autumn a sumptuous
edition limited to 800 copies Of The Life and
Works Of John Raphael Smith" by Julia
FrankaU author Of Eighteenth Century Color
Prints IL viii consist Of two volumes at
net cost Of 80 guineas one will be a royal
octave for the bookshelf with thirty illustra-
tions in photogravure Of famous engravings. by
John Raphael Smith after Reynolds Romney.
Gainsborough. Morland Barry. Lawranson.
Peters and other painters. with a critical me-
moir. catalogue Of all plates authoritatively
known to have been engraved by him. a de-
scriptiOn OF the prints in their various states.
and short sketches Of the persons represented.
This portion Of the pvork I have not seen but
have spent hour in looking over The fifty
examples in fac-simile Of the enGraver's art
which are 10 make up the second volume in
large atlas folio. Eighteen Of these are re-en-
graved in pure mezzotint by English artists,
and thirty-two are printed in colors, including
three pastels from the collection Of Major
Coates. sixteen stippIes. six mezzotints, five
drawings and two reproductions OF oil paint
ings. IN this way the characteristic work of
the eighteenth century artist IN stpple. mezzo-
tint. oil and chalk Is reproduced with refine
suent OF shade and deIicacy of color The en-
yravers working with carefully prepared plates
u perfectly even grain have caught the spirit
u the eighteenth century lightness and grace
n the mana cement Of darks, lights and middle
-ints: and the printing in pale coors has been
managed with remarkable skill and daintness.
rhe portfolio reveals the costumes faces, draw
ng rooms and gardens of q bygone age re-
markahie for its artistic qualities and pictu-
rescue coloring.
kJohn Raphael Smith was the son OF mnia-
hAre painter In Derbyshire. He vas first a
inen diapers apprentice and afterward shop
ran in London; but eventually he began 70
paint miniatures and 10 experiment with en-
craving. He natural Bohemian, with
-ollickng spirits and convivia habits and #
was not easy for him To settle down to the
irudgery OF engraving: hut he succeeded in
producing of the most beautiful mezzo-
lint work Of his time. His engraved portraits
after Sir Joshua Reynolds excelled i'm softness
ara delicacy. and his reproductions Of Morland's
genre work and rural scenes conspicuous
or animation and naturalness. He and Nor
and were boon companions with the
.railties and fondness for tavern company: and
hey also sympathetic in their artistic
;astes. Each had rapid but sure touch. and
coarse and slovenly their habits Of life
hey were refined and delicate in their art
processes. The engraver not satisfied with
producing his friends work. initiated II in deco
-ative designs and fancful subjects Of his own
IN canvas He had alreadv begun TO draw
.rayon portraits and Ia color prints. and the
-spidity with which he could paint tempted
aim TO neglect engraving AID 70 attempt TO rival
ne great painters of the day in high art. He
oecame art dealer, carried on small bust
Tess publisher. and employed young artists
color prints fer him. finally retiring to DON
,aster ard ending at sixty a life Of dissipa ton
owing 10 the distractions Of his career and to
lis own disregard of the limitations Of his
artistic talent the number of his mezzotint
sngravings did not exceed one hundred and fifty
The best Of them were masterpieces of shading
Ind tnting. He could do little with line but
lis judgment unrivalled in working from
lark 10 light a roughened surface. Even
when many hundred engravers were
reproducing Sir Joshua Reynolds's portraits in
nezzotint his work superior in hexbity
grace and the lightness of touch characteristic
If the best art Of the eighteenth century.
The reproductions in facsimile which have
>eeh made for this unique work TO be pub
ished by Messrs- Macmillan offer fascinating
;limpses Of bygone times. The charm of deli
ate coloring imparts freshness and beauty to
Iuaint picturesque costumes. Romney's por-
RAFT Of Mrs Robinson. with touches Of pink in
.heeks ard lips and Of red at the sleeves TO re-
feve the whiteness OF headdress md muff is
nezZoTint Of exceptional delicacy when printed
n color. Englehearts portrait OF Mrs. Mills
'eading letter becomes dainty and beautiful
n its color scheme. with the white hat set off
1y red ribbons and feather with soft blue eyes
% match the luxuriant yellow ringlets and
With touches Of pale green and brown in the
background. OIIes "Almeria" Reynolds's
Lady Hamilton Baccbante." Hoppner's
Sophia Western and MorIand's christmas
Sambols- are mezzotints of matchIess grace re-
ined by delicacy OF color The stipples are not
% soft as the mezzotints. but they come out
gith freshness Of charm when printed in color
Among these six Of Morlands simple un-
Effected themes. such Della in town and