George Brookshaw (British, 1751-1823). From "Pomona Britannica" or "A Collection of the Most Esteemed Fruits at Present Cultivated in this Country…." London: T. Bensley, (1804-) 1812. Large folio. Aquatint. Partially printed in color and finished by hand. An outstanding aquatint depicting luscious pears by George Brookshaw. Brookshaw llustrated approximately 256 varieties of fruit, using specimens from the Royal Gardens at Hampton Court, the garden of the Princess of Wales at Blackheath, among several others. His unrivaled creations featured finely textured fruits - pears, peaches, grapes, and more - usually set against rich backgrounds of velvety brown and black hues. Created during the heyday of printmaking in London, when aquatints in particular were an esteemed fine art, this composition demonstrates Brookshaw's undeniable talent and meticulous technique, and is among the most impressive botanical prints ever created. Size of image: 16.125" L x 12" W (41 cm x 30.5 cm) Size of frame: 25.625" L x 21.5" W (65.1 cm x 54.6 cm)
Brookshaw’s self-proclaimed intention was to "excite in gentlemen themselves a predominant turn and ardour for horticultural pursuits; so that…they may in every instance be able to judge for themselves and to direct…their own gardeners and labourers, instead of being, as they too generally are, the sport of their ignorant pretensions."
Label on gallery paper on verso from Beauchamp Studios dating print to 1812 states, "BROOKSHAW PEARS From a collection of the most esteemed fruits at present cultivated in this country, by George Brookshaw. These aquatints are from one of the finest color plate books in existence."
Provenance: private Denver, Colorado, USA collection
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#164768
Condition
Print has not been examined outside the frame but appears in very good condition with a nice plate mark. Expected scuffs and nicks to the frame, but otherwise the frame is intact and wired for suspension. Ready to display. There is a label attached to the gallery paper on the verso from Beauchamp Studios dating the aquatint to 1812.