Heath, Willliam “Defeat of a French Division before Badajos _ March 25th. 1811” Pl. 18.

William Heath (1795-1840). Plate 18.  “Defeat of a French Division before Badajos _ March 25^th. 1811.”  From The Martial Achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815. 

London: J. Jenkins, 1814-15.  6 x 8 5/8 (image).  Aquatint by J. Hill.  Original hand color.  Full margins.  Very good condition.

A print from a series of heroic military prints from the great age of British printed illustration. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Britain was establishing itself as the ruler of the page as well as of the waves, being the source of much of the best art on paper then being produced.  These prints, with their exquisite etching and bright hand coloring are superb examples of this quality.  Showing the major land victories of the British from 1799 to 1815, the prints are stirring depictions of these historic events.  Historically accurate, dramatically decorative, this is an excellent series of military prints.