Description

An interesting 19th century coloured engraving by Joseph Barney (1753-1832), depicting a poor soldier. Published 'Jan 1st 1802' by John P. Thompson, Newport Street'. The man is depicted cap in hand, gazing directly at the viewer, with a solemn appearance. A small black dog rests at his feet, as he holds onto a walking stick to steady his balance. Barney was a pupil of Antonio Zucchi and Angelica Kauffman, best known for his religious scenes and 'fruit and flower' paintings. His contemporaries described him as 'an eminent painter', and for more than 30 years he was drawing master at the Royal Military Academy, in Woolwich. His altar pieces at St John's Church and at the Catholic Chapel, in Wolverhampton, are lasting examples of his skill as an artist. Signed in plate. On wove.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration. Minor loss to the corner at the lower right. Three 1cm tears to the left side. These do not affect the main image. An area of restoration is visible just to the left of the gentleman's head where a tear has been repaired. The print has also been cut within the plate line.

Biography

Born near Wolverhampton in 1753, Jospeh Barney was an English artist and engraver. Two of his large-scale altar pieces 'The Deposition from the Cross '(1781) and 'The Apparition of Our Lord to St Thomas' (1784) have been preserved in Wolverhampton, and can be seen today at St John's church. During Barney's lifetime, his artistic achievements were respected and praised. During his lifetime, Barney exhibited more than hundred artworks at the Royal Academy and the British Institution. The great majority of recorded Barney's works are religious, historic, literature, and genre paintings, which express his strong ambition to become a historic painter. While the Silver Palette of 1774 was given for his early flower designs, the Gold Palette was awarded to him in 1781 for his historical drawings.