Whitcombe, T. “View of Gibraltar.”

T. Whitcombe.  “View of Gibraltar.”  From J. Jenkins’ The Naval Achievements of Great Britain, From the Year 1793 to 1817. 

London: J. Jenkins, 1816-17.  6 ¾ x 10 ¼ (image).  Aquatint.  Excellent original hand color.  Full margins.  Very good condition. 

A set of dramatic naval prints from one of the finest series of such prints ever produced.  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 naval victories of the British from 1793 to 1817, the prints are stirring depictions of these historic events.  The prints in this particular group are from an especially beautifully colored set.  Historically accurate, dramatically decorative, this is an excellent series of naval prints.