American Waterfalls Thomas Davies 1768 DAVIES, Thomas (c.1737-1812). [Six Views of American Waterfalls. London: c.1768.] A fine set of this very rare series depicting Niagara and other waterfalls in upstate New York and around Lake Ontario. Thomas Davies' work had "a brilliance, breadth and clarity not to be associated again with the Canadian landscape until more than a century and a half later" (K.M. Fenwick, Canadian Art, 13, p. 274). Of the four folio view books of North America published in the 1760s (see Struggle for North America), Davies's Waterfalls is the only one to treat exclusively of the natural beauty of the landscape, as opposed to urban views and scenes of war. Thomas Davies was a lifelong army officer and trained in topographical drawing, but his artwork went far beyond that. While serving under General Amherst in the French & Indian Wars, he frequently made exploratory trips with other officers, with his drawing materials in tow. Davies' view of Niagara Falls was the first such large view made by an artist. Spendlove, p. 15 (locating only two complete sets); Comprises: An East View of the Great Cataract of Niagara. Engraved by J. Fougeron This plate with the dedication of these “Six Views” to Sir Jeffrey Amherst. 372 x 524mm plate on 435 x 586mm sheet (previously folded into quadrants, very small spot towards left). * A South East View of the Lower Cataract on the Casconchiagon or Little Seneca’s River, on Lake Ontario. Engraved by Morris. 377 x 526mm plate on 422 x 539mm sheet (a very faint stain near top right). * A South East View of the Great Cataract on the Casconchiagon or Little Seneca’s River, on Lake Ontario. Engraved by Mazell. 380 x 527mm plate on 424 x 532 mm sheet. * A North West View of the Half Moon or Second Fall in the River Casconchiagon on Lake Ontario. Engraved by Mazell. 379 x 524mm plate on 418 x 539mm sheet (a few very narrow and short worm tracks, only in margins). * A North View of the Pisaiack Falls, in the Province of New Jersey in North America. 370 x 520 mm plate on 413 x 530 mm sheet (verso with some resizing to edges). Contemporary annotation to verso, “Capt Davis Prints America.” * A North West View of the Chohoes, or Great Cataract if the Mohawk River, in the Province of New York in North America. Engraved by Mazell. 364 x 507mm sheet (trimmed to plate mark, some expert restoration to edges). Together, six copper-engravings (some occasional dust-soiling and/or small repairs to edges, individual minor faults noted above). Each individually matted to 21 x 27 inches. Housed in custom morocco-backed solander box.
American Waterfalls Thomas Davies 1768 DAVIES, Thomas (c.1737-1812). [Six Views of American Waterfalls. London: c.1768.] A fine set of this very rare series depicting Niagara and other waterfalls in upstate New York and around Lake Ontario. Thomas Davies' work had "a brilliance, breadth and clarity not to be associated again with the Canadian landscape until more than a century and a half later" (K.M. Fenwick, Canadian Art, 13, p. 274). Of the four folio view books of North America published in the 1760s (see Struggle for North America), Davies's Waterfalls is the only one to treat exclusively of the natural beauty of the landscape, as opposed to urban views and scenes of war. Thomas Davies was a lifelong army officer and trained in topographical drawing, but his artwork went far beyond that. While serving under General Amherst in the French & Indian Wars, he frequently made exploratory trips with other officers, with his drawing materials in tow. Davies' view of Niagara Falls was the first such large view made by an artist. Spendlove, p. 15 (locating only two complete sets); Comprises: An East View of the Great Cataract of Niagara. Engraved by J. Fougeron This plate with the dedication of these “Six Views” to Sir Jeffrey Amherst. 372 x 524mm plate on 435 x 586mm sheet (previously folded into quadrants, very small spot towards left). * A South East View of the Lower Cataract on the Casconchiagon or Little Seneca’s River, on Lake Ontario. Engraved by Morris. 377 x 526mm plate on 422 x 539mm sheet (a very faint stain near top right). * A South East View of the Great Cataract on the Casconchiagon or Little Seneca’s River, on Lake Ontario. Engraved by Mazell. 380 x 527mm plate on 424 x 532 mm sheet. * A North West View of the Half Moon or Second Fall in the River Casconchiagon on Lake Ontario. Engraved by Mazell. 379 x 524mm plate on 418 x 539mm sheet (a few very narrow and short worm tracks, only in margins). * A North View of the Pisaiack Falls, in the Province of New Jersey in North America. 370 x 520 mm plate on 413 x 530 mm sheet (verso with some resizing to edges). Contemporary annotation to verso, “Capt Davis Prints America.” * A North West View of the Chohoes, or Great Cataract if the Mohawk River, in the Province of New York in North America. Engraved by Mazell. 364 x 507mm sheet (trimmed to plate mark, some expert restoration to edges). Together, six copper-engravings (some occasional dust-soiling and/or small repairs to edges, individual minor faults noted above). Each individually matted to 21 x 27 inches. Housed in custom morocco-backed solander box.
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