Morland, George "The Last Litter"

George Morland. "The Last Litter".

London: H. Macklin, 1803. 17 7/8 x 23 5/8. Mezzotint by W. Ward. Excellent condition. 

George Morland (1763-1804) was a well known painter of rustic genre and narrative subjects. His appeal to his English contemporaries resided in the accessible content and the sensitivity to decorative detail in his often very picturesque works. Morland's paintings were a popular source for prints by his fellow artists, such as in this case William Ward. Ward (1766 - 1826) is regarded as one of the greatest mezzotint engravers of the early nineteenth century, and much of this reputation comes from his work after paintings by Morland, his brother-in-law. Ward went on to become the engraver to King William IV and his excellence in mezzotinting is well demonstrated in this lovely genre print after Morland. This is English printmaking at its best and most sophisticated.