The Approach of the Emperor of China to his tent in Tartary, to receive the British Ambassador. [caption title]
by [EMBASSY TO CHINA] ALEXANDER, WILLIAM; FITTLER, JAMES. (ENGRAVER)
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London.: G. Nicol.. April 12,1796.. Large format engraving 29.9 x 45 cm; 37 x 50 cm (sheet trimmed to the platemark), spots of browning to the image (mainly affecting the sky ) and marginal foxing, corners a little toned, old paper repair affecting the caption only (no loss), the sheet creased at the corners and a little dusty, but a strong dark impression in very good condition. Intricate and wonderfully composed engraving after a drawing by the artist William Alexander (1767-1816), prepared for the folio atlas to George Staunton's account of the Macartney Embassy to China of 1793. The engraver, James Fittler (1758-1825) was appointed by George III to be his Marine Engraver. Despite the serried ranks of the Chinese noblemen, attendants, and the figure of the Emperor himself occupying almost the entire engraving, it is the figure of Lord Macartney making an entrance (stage right) who steals the show. Fittler has amplified Macartney as "hero" with the dramatic use of tone: Lord Macartney is bathed in light, a representative of the British Empire "on which the sun never sets". The page attending Macartney is the figure of George Staunton's son, Thomas.
A dramatic evocation of the might of Empire.
From the Estate of the late collector and scholar, Arthur Hacker. .
A dramatic evocation of the might of Empire.
From the Estate of the late collector and scholar, Arthur Hacker. .
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Details
- Bookseller
- Asia Bookroom (AU)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 177644
- Title
- The Approach of the Emperor of China to his tent in Tartary, to receive the British Ambassador. [caption title]
- Author
- [EMBASSY TO CHINA] ALEXANDER, WILLIAM; FITTLER, JAMES. (ENGRAVER)
- Book Condition
- Used
- Publisher
- G. Nicol.
- Place of Publication
- London.
- Date Published
- April 12,1796.
- Keywords
- Antique Print, Architecture, Beijing, British Embassy To China, British Empire, Costume, Engraving, European Contact, European Travellers, Exploration And Travels, Landscape, Maps, Charts & Atlases, Qing Dynasty, zz_Gallery_Antiquarian, Zz_gallery_ephemer
- Bookseller catalogs
- China_Collectable;
Terms of Sale
Asia Bookroom
We offer a full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives mis-described or damaged. Please contact us first before returning any item.
About the Seller
Asia Bookroom
Biblio member since 2010
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
About Asia Bookroom
Asia Bookroom is a large open shop specialising in books on Asia. We also have smaller sections on the Middle East and the Pacific. Our stock ranges from antiquarian books through to new books. We also carry ephemera relating to Asia including an interesting range of 19th and 20th Century ephemera published in East Asia in English, Chinese and Japanese.
Asia Bookroom issues regular specialised book lists on Asia and invite you to let us know your interests so that we can let you know of new arrivals as they come in to stock. And if you are in Australia's capital city Canberra we hope you will visit our shop!
Asia Bookroom issues regular specialised book lists on Asia and invite you to let us know your interests so that we can let you know of new arrivals as they come in to stock. And if you are in Australia's capital city Canberra we hope you will visit our shop!
Glossary
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