Artist: Thomas Bewick (British, 1753-1828), designer and draughtsman on wood.
Title: Beggar. Tailpiece to the 'Fable of 'The Lion and the Four Bulls' by Aesop.
Titled, Dated, and Signed in plate: Collector's stamp AU in ink in Gothic script recto.
Dimensions: Sheet 2 3/8" x 3 1/4".
Edition: The Fables of Aesop, and Others.
Date: 1811-1823.
Materials and Techniques: wood-engraving on paper, letterpress on both sides as issued.
Mat and Frame: backing sheet. The print is affixed to backing at the four corners.
Provenance:
- Monogram AU stamp in ink in Gothic script verso. (Not in Lugt).
- The Estate of George "Yorgo" Demetrakopoulos; professor, assistant director of the Medieval Institute, and assistant to the dean at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1965-2000.
Condition: Foxing. The backing sheet is torn apart and it would be good to replace it. The print is not affected. The signs of aging are appropriate for the time. A detailed condition report is available on demand.
Catalog Raisonne: Peter Osborne (Fables of Aesop and Gay’s Fables) and David Gardner-Medwin. The First Part of an Inventory of the Vignettes of Thomas Bewick and the Beilby-Bewick Workshop. The Bewick Society.
"Can the beggar exemplify for Bewick the idea of a ‘kingdom divided’ emphasised in his Application? " p. 744.
Part of: 'The Fables of Æsop, and Others' (Newcastle upon Tyne, 1818, p.90).
Museums and Libraries: The British Museum 2006,U.1723.
Art Movements, Periods & Schools: British School XVIII C.
Note: This entry incorporates text from Wikipedia and the catalog entry of a similar item from the British Museum collection.