The Art of Fishing

This print, titled The Art of Fishing was ‘dedicated to the Honorable Society of Arts Manufactores and Comerce’.

Founded in 1754 by William Shipley, this society was to become the Royal Society of Arts. Its primary aim was to stimulate industry through the awarding of prizes, presumably the ambition here of Haid. The society grew in its first few years to number some 3000 and as Shipley had wished, ladies were entitled to become members from the outset. During the reign of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert was its president and as such the RSA was closely involved in establishing the Great Exhibition in 1854.

This print was produced in the same year that the society moved into the house it still occupies at No.6 John Adam Street; designed and built by Robert & James Adams and bought by the society in 1922.

The original work was by Johann Caspar Heilmann, (1718-1760), painter of domestic genre and pupil of Deggeler. The plate was engraved by Johann Elias Haid ‘Aug Vind 1773’.

Johann Elias Haid (1736 – 1809) was a German engraver and publisher; son and pupil of Johann Jakob, he published his own prints in Augsburg.

Within a good replica of an eighteenth century ebonized moulding frame with a gilt sight.

o.s:18.75 ins x 22.5 ins.

Price

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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