DELUGE

Original 1795 14 3/8 inch x 18 1/4 inch Etching and Engraving titled THE DELUGE

A man, woman and child on rock in stormy sea with a ship sinking in the background.

Print by Thomas Milton (1743 – 1827). Engraver, especially of book illustrations, and occasional publisher. His grandfather was brother to the poet John Milton. He was a governor of the short-lived Society of Engravers founded in 1803.

After the painting by Philip James de Loutherbourg (1740 – 1812). De Loutherbourg was born in Strasbourg, the son of a miniature painter and engraver. He trained in France, specialising in landscape painting, and he was subsequently made painter to Louis XIV. In 1771 he came to England at the invitation of the actor-manager, David Garrick and painted spectacular sets for the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His interest in technical innovation led to the ‘Eidophusikon’, a precursor of the cinema using transparent images and light effects. He was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy, to which he was elected in 1781. As well as dramatic landscapes, he produced history paintings and published prints recording his tours of picturesque scenery in England and Wales.

Published by Thomas Macklin (1752/3 – 1800), Poets Gallery, Fleet Street

Inscription: Lettered below the image with the title, biblical reference ‘Vide. Genesis Ch. VII. ve. 11, 12.”, production detail: “P. J. de Loutherbourg del”, “Thos. Milton sculpt.” and publication line: “Publish’d 27, Octr. 1797, by Thos. Macklin, Poets Gallery, Fleet Street, London.’

The etching is in very good condition with general age-related toning and minor defects from handling. Reverse side blank.