James Forbes
The Flying Fish: Exocaetus Evolans (drawn 1784)
Engraved by W. Hooker after a drawing by James Forbes
Original Aquatint (hand-coloured) published between 1813-1835
28 x 21 cms / 11 x 8.5” app.
Non-exportable.
(The work will be shipped without a frame. Framing is available on request.)
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With an ever-growing global interest in the Company School and the allied art styles of the colonial period - we launch a series of curations featuring vintage prints from this period - signaling a new direction for the Red Earth collection. Who better to start with than James Forbes, one of the earliest British artists, whose musings of the natural world are capable of leaving an indelible mark on your mind - and adding life and colour to any room.
James Forbes (1749–1819) was a British artist and writer, employed by the East India Company, and lived in India from 1765 to 1784. His notes and sketches concerned varied aspects of Indian life, from its natural world to architecture. These illustrations are extracted from his iconic work Oriental Memoirs (editions published between 1813-1835), focusing on his visual experiences of India, but also including observations on parts of Africa and South America.
Description of the Illustration from the book:
"The Flying Fish: Exocaetus Evolans
This unfortunate inhabitant of the ocean was drawn of the natural size and colours, from one which alighted on the deck of the ship, in its flight from its watery foes, and pursued by the sea-fowl hovering over the shoal from which it separated. When the oceanic flying fish first emerges from the water, it is of the most beautiful silvery hues, softening the varied shades of purple and blue. "
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Condition Report: In good condition overall. Paper is torn around the area of the mouth of the fish, which has been pasted. Some discolouration and stains in the work, as are clearly visible in the images.