Lady Hamilton with Tambourine and Child c. 1796

Stipple Engraving Printed in Colours with Hand Colouring

Attributed to John Opie RA

Engraver Unknown

A very rare and unusual stipple engraving, engraver unknown. The composition of Emma Hamilton with Tambourine and Child is identical to a drawing by John Opie c.1796 ( please see photos)

This engraving has been silhouetted and laid onto what seems to be contemporary thick wove paper with a ruled pencil ornamental border and then extensively worked in pencil and watercolour in a very delicate hand. The colouring and treatment of the watercolour landscape surrounding the figures also seems completely contemporary. The figures while similar to Friedrich (Frederick) Rehberg’s Attitude engraving of Emma Hamilton is of different proportion and significantly different enough to prefer the Opie attribution. In the absence of further information one can only speculate that this is a trial proof where the artist or the engraver has silhouetted the figures and imposed them on an original watercolour landscape background and given it a print type border perhaps intending it to be re engraved. Thus, the watercolour background may perhaps be the hand of John Opie himself. Alternatively, it may have been a vanity project. All of the above can only remain speculation as I am unable to find a published version of this print and cannot pinpoint the engraver. This is a beautiful, highly decorative period representation of one of the great and significant beauties of her time given her association with both William Hamilton and Horatio Nelson with an extensive hand worked watercolour background. Would merit further research.

Somewhat time stained and browned. Reverse of paper shows the outline of the silhouetted figures and is also slightly stained and browned. One or two tiny marginal tears not intruding on ruled border or image. In spite of the slight discolouration of the paper which is quite thick, slightly and almost like thin card it is in very good original antique condition. No visible sign of a watermark. A true collector’s item and probably unique.

Outside size of sheet measures W 13.25 x H 20.25 inches

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