MAYER, LUIGI
VIEWS IN EGYPT
Year: 1801
Size: 13.7 x 19 inches
FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWINGS IN THE POSSESSION OF SIR ROBERT AINSLIE, TAKEN DURING HIS EMBASSY TO CONSTANTINOPLE BY LUIGI MAYER.Engraved by and under the Direction of Thomas Milton with Historical Observations, and Incidental Illustrations of the Manners and costumes of the natives of that country.
First Edition
Year: 1801
Size: 35 x 48.5 cm (13.7 x 19 inches)
Published by: Thomas Bensley for R. Bowyer, 1801, Folio size.
No. of Printed Pages: 102 Pages
No. of Plates: 42 out of 48 fine hand-colored etched and aquatint Plates by Thomas Milton after Mayer
An early issue as the plates are watermarked 1801.
Plates are rather clean and with fine coloring.
A fine copy of Thomas Milton's engravings of Mayer's original drawings commissioned by Ainslie, of the spectacular and exotic views of Egypt.
On publication Views in Egypt was extremely popular, Mayer's views being widely praised for their accuracy and interest, showing as they do the landscape, architecture, antiquities and costume of a region which was the focus of much interest following the campaigns of the previous years.
The German born artist Luigi Mayer (1755-1803) studied with Piranesi in Rome and served for the King of Naples, for whom he made Views of Sicily. Mayer was one of the foremost late 18th-century European painters of the Ottoman Empire. He was a close friend of Sir Robert Ainslie, British ambassador to Turkey between 1776 and 1792 (who lived in Constantinople in style and fashion of a Turk,Musselman of rank), and the bulk of his paintings and drawings during this period were commissioned by him. Mayer traveled extensively throughout the Ottoman Empire and became well known for his sketches and paintings of panoramic landscapes of ancient sites from the Balkans to Turkey and Egypt, particularly ancient monuments along the Nile. Many of these works were amassed in Ainslie's collection, which was later presented to the British Museum, providing a valuable insight into the Middle East of that period.
BINDING: Contemporary half Moroccan over green moir cloth, spine in six compartments with raised bands, title in gilt in the second, the others with gilt rule and small decorative tools around the bands
Part of the spine missing from first band, marble end papers, expertly re backed in original binding, neat repairs to spine and corners.
Provenance : Collection of a Gentleman
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This is an auction of pre-owned and old items. Many items are of an age or nature which precludes their being in perfect condition and you should expect general wear and tear commensurate with age and use.
We strongly advise you to examine items before you bid.
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