A collection of exceptional steel engravings, published for The Wilkie Gallery, London c.1840. David Wilkie was the third son of Rev.David Wilkie, minister of Cults in Fifeshire, Scotland. They were extremely poor and only just managed to put David through the Edinburgh Academy. It soon became apparent that there was no money to be made in Scotland and he left for London in 1805. During this time he lived very poorly although he did manage to attend the Royal Academy as a student. Eventually he came to be recognised as an excellent artist by the Earl of Mansfield, Sir George Beaumont and Lord Mulgrave who introduced him into the Society of London. He then became one of the leading painters of the period. His work depicts local life and characters, mostly influenced upon by his earlier frugal beginnings. These are uncoloured as issued, on strong quality paper, average 11"x8" plus wide margins. |