Martins Album
- Object:
Mezzotint
- Place of origin:
Britain (made)
- Date:
second quarter 19th century (made)
1854 (collected) - Artist/Maker:
John Martin, born 1789 - died 1854 (artist)
- Materials and Techniques:
Mezzotints and engravings
- Credit Line:
Purchased from the Estate of the late Thomas Balston, O.B.E., M.C.
- Museum number:
E.512-1968
- Gallery location:
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level E, case 92, shelf C, box 24
Physical description
One of 84 cuttings from proof impressions of the mezzotints of John Martin, compiled together with three engravings after Martin by H. Le Keux, W. F. Starling and W. R. Smith. Mounted in a volume assembled by the artist, full-bound in tooled leather, lettered on the spine 'Martins Album'. With a letter from an official of the 'Chambre du Roi' of Charles X of France affixed to the inside of the cover. Inscribed in ink throughout, probably by the artist, with titles, etc. Inscribed in pencil on the fly-leaf by the artist's son Charles Martin 'Containing 80 [sic] cuttings from various engravings from the works of John Martin, selected and arranged by himself and in many instances touched by his own hand. C.M. May 1854'.
Place of Origin
Britain (made)
Date
second quarter 19th century (made)
1854 (collected)
Artist/maker
John Martin, born 1789 - died 1854 (artist)
Materials and Techniques
Mezzotints and engravings
Marks and inscriptions
'Containing 80 (Sic) cuttings from various engravings from the works of John Martin, selected and arranged by himself and in many instances touched by his own hand. C.M. May 1854'.
Inscribed in ink throughout, probably by the artist with titles. Inscribed in pencil on the fly leaf by the artist's son Charles Martin.
Dimensions
Height: 43 cm size of volume, Width: 33 cm size of volume
Object history note
This album, which was Lot No. 137 in Christie's sale of the artist's furniture and works held at Lindsey House, Battersea Bridge, London on the 4th July 1854, is discussed in Thomas Balston p256, 257. The letter affixed to the cover acknowledges the gift of the artist's mezzotints of 'Belshazzar's feast', 'The Deluge' and 'Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still'. Four of these prints were loose and may have been later insertions. E.504 and E.555 are unidentified.
Descriptive line
'The Deluge'. Plate six from 'Illustrations of the Bible'. One of 84 cuttings from proof impressions of the mezzotints of John Martin (1789-1954), mounted in a leather-bound volume, lettered on the spine 'Martins Album', compiled by the artist. 19th century.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Victoria & Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1968 London: HMSO, 1969.
Materials
Printing ink
Techniques
Mezzotint; Engraving (printing process)
Subjects depicted
Storms; Biblical scenes
Categories
Prints
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
