Martins Album; The Destruction of Pharoah's Host

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'.

Date

19th century (made)

Artist/maker

Martin, John, 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'.

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 Destruction of Pharaoh's Host'. 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.
The full text of the entry is as follows:

"MARTIN, John (1789-1854)

Cuttings (84) from proof impressions of the mezzotints of John Martin, with engravings (3) after Martin by H. Le Keux, E.F. Starling and W.R. Smith. Mounted in a volume compiled 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.
Mezzotints and engravings.
Size of volume (43 x 33 cm.) E.476-562-1968

Purchased from the Estate of the late Thomas Balston, O.B.E., M.C.

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 op. cit., p.256, 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 the prints were loose and may have been later insertions. E.504 and E.555 are unidentified.

The cuttings are from proofs of the works listed below:

The Destruction of Pharoaoh's Host. Pl. 12 of Illustrations of the Bible. (T.B. Appendix 9,11) E.489-1968"

Techniques

Engraving (printing process); Mezzotint

Subjects depicted

Biblical scenes; Pharoah; Destruction (through natural forces)

Categories

Prints

Collection code

PDP