Lot #49: pair ANTIQUARIAN PRINTS 18th C - original mezzotints (Publ. 1790) "Black Monday or the Departure for School" and "Dulce Domum or the Return from Schoo

Pair of scarce 18th century (published Dec. 1st 1790) mezzotint engravings. The original artworks were by William Redmore Bigg, and these prints were engraved by master engraver John Jones. // Note: These were always intended as a pair. I received one framed print, but when removing it from its frame to clean the glass, I discovered the second print behind the first. It was likely preserved there due to the water stain, and small tear (lower left), see images. Condition: the framed print is very good (with paper discolouration to be expected with age), condition of the second is noted above. ARTIST BIOGRAPHY: William Redmore Bigg (b.1755 d.1828) specialized in genre scenes, often depicting children and acts of charity. This pair are two of his most famous, the first shows two boys leaving for boarding school, and the second shows the joyous greeting from their family on their return. Due to the popularity of W.R. Bigg's paintings, he could commission the best engravers to produce prints from his works. ENGRAVER BIOGRAPHY: John Jones (b.1755 d.1797) was an 18th century British printmaker. John practised both mezzotint and stipple engraving styles. He exhibited with the Incorporated Society of Artists from 1775 to 1791. In 1790 he was appointed principal engraver to the Prince of Wales, and to the Duke of York. Dimensions: print size: 24" x 18.25" (24" x 19.5"incl. text) // paper size: 27.75" x 22" (each) // frame size: 32" x 26.5" (note: one print unframed) Pickup category timeslot {A}