SALT, Henry (1780-1827)Biblio.com
Pagodas at Trinchicunum
180941443London: William Miller 1809. Hand-coloured aquatint engraving by D. Havell after Henry Salt on wove paper watermark 'J Whatman'. An excellent view of Tamil Nadu including one of the great irrigation tanks: a true masterpiece of early technology.<br/> <br/> Henry Salt artist traveller diplomat and collector of antiquities was born at Lichfield Staffordshire England on 14 June 1780. He was determined to become a portrait-painter and upon leaving school was taught drawing by Glover the watercolour-painter of Lichfield. In 1797 he went to London to study with Joseph Farington R.A. and then with John Hoppner R.A. in 1800. The turning point in his career was 3 June 1802 when Salt left London for an Eastern tour with George viscount Valentia afterwards Lord Mountnorris whom he accompanied as secretary and draughtsman. He visited India Sri Lanka and Abyssinia returning to England on 26 Oct. 1806. He made many drawings some of which served to illustrate Lord Valentia's Voyages and Travels to India published in 1809. The present image is fromTwenty-four Views in St. Helena the Cape India Ceylon the Red Sea Abyssinia and Egypt published by William Miller with hand-coloured aquatints by D. Havell and J. Bluck from Salt's own drawings. The originals of all these drawings were retained by Lord Valentia who also retained the ownership of the copper plates after Salt's death. The format and style of presentation of the plates is similar to Thomas and William Daniell's great work Oriental Scenery 1795-1808 and the artistry displayed by both Salt and his engravers is in many cases more than a match for the Daniell's images. Salt visited Sri Lanka only a few years after the British had wretes power from the Dutch who had been the dominant western presence on the island from the middle of the 17th century until 1795.<br/> <br/> Abbey Travel II 515 no.13. William Miller unknown
Donald Heald Rare Books · États-Unis3 250,00 $US≈ 2 749,83 €
