190. WRIGHT, John Masey (1771-1866) (artist and illustrator) -- Robert BURNS (1759-1796). Original Drawings of Illustrations to Robert Burns' Poems' and other works. [N.p.: c.1840]. a collection of 40 original watercolor and sepia drawings by john masey wright, unsigned but 15 lettered and titled in pencil on verso, each mounted on thick paper with tissue guards. Varying sizes, but mostly (245 x 165 mm). Housed in a custom full scarlet levant morocco clamshell case, gilt lettering to spine and upper cover. Condition: small section of soiling to 1 drawing, slight bowing; splitting to lower right corner of box. Provenance: Harry & Virginia Walton.
A fine set of early ninteenth century watercolors, some modelled in the style of Blake, Bartolozzi but mostly in hommage of his teacher Thomas Stothard. In this group 15 were definately used as engravings to Virtue's Edition of Burns' Poems published 1840, and are annotated on verso, while the remaining 25 others probably include work for other publications. Included is a delightful self portrait of the artist winking at the viewer.
British artist, John Masey Wright (1777-1866) was a student of illustrator Thomas Stothard, exhibited at the Royal Academy and was elected a member of the Old Watercolourist Society, today the Royal Watercolourist Society. He is best known, however, as an illustrator. Wright lived to be 93 years old, and was accordingly a prolific artist. He is most well known for his illustrated editions of Scott, Shelley, Shakespeare, and Cervantes all issued by popular publishers in the period 1830-60. In his early years, around 1800 to 1810 he worked as a scene painter in Theaters and took up with Henry Ashton Barker, painting the scenery for his famous Piccadilly panoramas including the Battles of Corunna, Vittoria and Waterloo. In 1812 he started exhibiting at the royal academy and other societies, and his career flourished.
est. $10000 – $15000