Engravings, From the Pictures & Sketches Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, comprising the whole of his works By Samuel William Reynolds, Engraver to the King.
RA Collection: Book
Record number
07/4053
Imprint
[London:]: Published by S.W. Reynolds Bayswater., July, 1820. (- 1836.)
Physical Description
5 vols.; 482 mm.
General Note
Vol. I: Engr. t.pl., engr. dedic., [65] pl. (Pl. 1, 2, 52 numbered as 1, 2, 3). (Pl. [30] and [65] each carry four images. Pl. [11, 23, 41, 46, 60] each carry six images.) - Vol. II: [68] pl. (Pl. 2, 5, 7, 16, 26, 40, 55, 64 numbered as 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 9, 11, 12, 13). (Pl. [8, 12, 22, 24, 30, 47, 48, 54] each carry four images.) - Vol. III: [75] pl. (Pl. 60 numbered as 14.) (Pl. [3, 21, 22, 33, 53] each carry four images.) - Vol. IV: [72] pl. (Pl. 46, 52, 72 numbered as 15, 16, 17). (Pl. [23] carries four images). - Vol. V: Engr. t.pl., [77] pl. (Pl. 58 numbered as 4).
Responsibility Note
The engraved title-plates of Volumes I and V are unsigned; the engraved dedication in Volume I is signed as made by Vincent [is this Vincent Woodthorpe?]; all other plates are signed as painted by Joshua Reynolds and engraved by S.W.Reynolds. Most plates carry also the publisher's imprint and date - of 'The Engraver' (10 plates in Vol. I, 16 in Vol. II., 19 in Vol. III, 20 in Vol. IV, 2 in Vol. V) or of 'S.W. Reynolds' (2 plates in Vol. I, one in Vol. IV, 6 in Vol. V), and in Vol. V those of Molteno and Graves (23 pl.), Moon, Boys and Graves (1 pl.), A. Molteno (3 pl.) and that of William Reynolds without date (5 pl.).
The title-page vignette of Volume V is signed as engraved by W. Giller.
The work is dedicated by Saml. Willm. Reynolds to George The Fourth.
References
A. Whitman, 'Appendix Engravings From The Works Of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Issued By Samuel William Reynolds, Senior, Bayswater', in A. Whitman, Nineteenth Century Mezzotinters Samuel William Reynolds (1903), p.147-58.
M. Postle, ed., Joshua Reynolds The Creation of Celebrity [exhibition catalogue] (2005); N. Penny, ed., Reynolds [Royal Academy exhibition catalogue] (1986). See also the bibliographic note on E. Hamilton, A Catalogue Raisonné Of The Engraved Work Of Sir Joshua Reynolds (1874).
F. Owen, 'Samuel William Reynolds', in Apollo (1992), p.103-7.
Summary Note
The publication-date of 1820, given on the title-plate of Volume I, is repeated on many plates, in Volumes I, II and V. But many plates carry later dates - of 1821 (in vol. II), 1822 (in vols. III, IV), 1823 (in vol. III, IV), 1824 (in vol. IV), 1825 (in vol. IV, V), 1831- 1836 (in vol. V).
There are no title-plates for Volumes II-IV; and that of Volume V reads, 'Engravings From the Works Of Sir Joshua Reynolds. Volume IIII.' A. Whitman describes a four-volume set, in which the plates appear in a different order from that followed in the Royal Academy's copy.
Most plates show portraits; some show religious or miscellaneous 'fancy' subjects. All are inscribed as 'Proof' except Vol. I. pl. [5], Vol. III. pl. [2] and Vol. V. pl. [48]. In addition Plate [51] (undated) of Volume III is inscribed as 'On Steel'.
The title-plate of Volume V carries as a vignette an engraved portrait of Sir Joshua.
Provenance
The Academy resolved to subscribe for 'proof impressions' of this work on 13 March 1821 (RA Council Minutes VI, 195-6). The price per number was 2 guineas. Successive payments to S. W. Reynolds (for vols. I-IV) and to Molteno & Co. (for vol. V) are recorded in RA Council Minutes and / or the Royal Academy Accounts as follows:
'Abstract of Bills for ... Michaelmas to Xmas 1821': 'S. W. Reynolds for Engravings £29.8.0.' (Royal Academy Accounts, RAA/TRE/1/3).
26 October 1822: 'Reynolds for mezzotint Prints £23.2.0.' (RA Council Minutes VI, 302).
'Abstract of Bills for ... Michaelmas to Xmas 1822': 'S. W. Reynolds for Engravings £23.2.0.' (Royal Academy Accounts, RAA/TRE/1/3).
'Abstract of Bills for ... Xmas 1822 to Lady Day 1823: 'S. W. Reynolds for Prints £10.10.0.' (Royal Academy Accounts, RAA/TRE/1/3).
26 March 1825: '15 Nos. of Reynolds' engravings after Reynolds £31.10.0.' (RA Council Minutes VII, 64).
31 May 1825: '17 Nos. of engravings in Mezzotinto after Reynolds £35.14.0.' (RA Council Minutes VII, 76).
'Abstract of Bills for ... Xmas 1825 to Lady Day 1826: 'S. W. Reynolds for Engravings £35.14.0.' (Royal Academy Accounts, RAA/TRE/1/3).
'Abstract of Bills for ... Xmas 1831 to Lady Day 1832: 'W. Reynolds for Prints £10.10.0.' (Royal Academy Accounts, RAA/TRE/1/3).
'Abstract of Bills for ... Midsummer to Michaelmas 1832: 'Molteno & Co. £2.2.0.' (Royal Academy Accounts, RAA/TRE/1/3).
'Abstract of Bills for ... Midsummer to Michaelmas 1834: 'Molteno & Co. £4.4.0.' (Royal Academy Accounts, RAA/TRE/1/3).
'Abstract of Bills for ... Lady Day to Midsummer 1835: 'Molteno & Co. £4.4.0.' (Royal Academy Accounts, RAA/TRE/1/3).
'Abstract of Bills for ... Midsummer to Michaelmas 1836: 'J. A. Molteno £6.6.0.' (Royal Academy Accounts, RAA/TRE/1/3).
Binding Note
19th-century half pigskin, brown cloth-covered boards; rebacked in 20th century retaining parts of earlier spine-pieces lettered 'Sir Joshu Reynold's Works Vol. I. (-V.)'.
Celebrities - Great Britain - History - 18th century
Paintings - Portraits - Great Britain - 18th century
Pictorial works - Steel engravings - Great Britain - 19th century