[EMBASSY TO CHINA] ALEXANDER, WILLIAM; FITTLER, JAMES. (ENGRAVER).

The Approach of the Emperor of China to his tent in Tartary, to receive the British Ambassador. [caption title]

London. G. Nicol. April 12, 1796. Stock ID #177644

Large format engraving 29.9 x 45 cm; 37 x 50 cm (sheet trimmed to the platemark), spots of browning to the image (mainly affecting the sky ) and marginal foxing, corners a little toned, old paper repair affecting the caption only (no loss), the sheet creased at the corners and a little dusty, but a strong dark impression in very good condition.

Intricate and wonderfully composed engraving after a drawing by the artist William Alexander (1767-1816), prepared for the folio atlas to George Staunton's account of the Macartney Embassy to China of 1793. The engraver, James Fittler (1758-1825) was appointed by George III to be his Marine Engraver. Despite the serried ranks of the Chinese noblemen, attendants, and the figure of the Emperor himself occupying almost the entire engraving, it is the figure of Lord Macartney making an entrance (stage right) who steals the show. Fittler has amplified Macartney as "hero" with the dramatic use of tone: Lord Macartney is bathed in light, a representative of the British Empire "on which the sun never sets". The page attending Macartney is the figure of George Staunton's son, Thomas.
A dramatic evocation of the might of Empire.

From the Estate of the late collector and scholar, Arthur Hacker.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 177644.

Price: $525.00 AU

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