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Leathes Water, or Wythburn Lake, Cumberland

Print
1815 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This was the first print that Constable published. It is based on a drawing he made in 1806 during his only visit to the Lake District. It is not known why Constable selected this subject but its mountainous subject contrasts with the gentle scale of the landscapes in English Landscape Scenery. The engraver, Henry Dawe, was the brother of George, portrait painter, who employed Constable to paint a background for him in 1815. It is probably no coincidence that Constable chose an engraver who was working for his rival, Turner, on his classification of different types of landscape in the Liber Studiorum.

Object details

Category
Object type
TitleLeathes Water, or Wythburn Lake, Cumberland (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Mezzotint on paper
Brief description
Engraving entitled 'Leathes Water, or Wythburn Lake, Cumberland', Henry Dawe after John Constable (RA), Great Britain, 1815
Physical description
Mezzotint of Leathes Water, or Wythburn Lake, Cumberland, drawn by John Constable (RA) and engraved by Henry Dawe. The view is taken from the elevated part of the valley, on the road leading from Grassmere to Kesiwck, near Dunmail Rise. To the North in the extreme distance, rises Saddleback, and on the right is Helvellyn.
Dimensions
  • Papersize height: 32.1cm
  • Papersize width: 53.4cm
  • Platemark size height: 24.5cm
  • Platemark size width: 48.3cm
  • Picturesize height: 23cm
  • Picturesize width: 47cm
  • Height: 9 3/4in (Note: Measurement taken from the register. )
  • Width: 19in (Note: Measurement taken from the register. )
  • Height: 9 3/4in (Note: Measurement taken from register)
  • Width: 19in (Note: Measurement taken from register)
Credit line
Given by Isabel Constable, daughter of the artist.
Historical context
The 1806 drawing from which this engraving is taken is no.194-1888.
Place depicted
Summary
This was the first print that Constable published. It is based on a drawing he made in 1806 during his only visit to the Lake District. It is not known why Constable selected this subject but its mountainous subject contrasts with the gentle scale of the landscapes in English Landscape Scenery. The engraver, Henry Dawe, was the brother of George, portrait painter, who employed Constable to paint a background for him in 1815. It is probably no coincidence that Constable chose an engraver who was working for his rival, Turner, on his classification of different types of landscape in the Liber Studiorum.
Associated object
194-1888 (Original)
Collection
Accession number
1253-1888

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Record createdMay 26, 2006
Record URL
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