Viennese Vases, c.1880-1900, decorated with scenes after Sir Joshua Reynolds, copied from English 18th century mezzotint engravings.
The colours are totally different from Reynolds's original oils as the images were copied from 18th century black and white mezzotint engravings and the artist who decorated the vases has made up his own colours. The left image is taken from Reddere Personae scit convenientia cuique [known as Garrick between Tragedy and Comedy] engraved by Edward Fisher and published in 1762 and the right image is taken from The Hon.ble Mrs. Beresford. Mrs.Gardiner. The Right Hon:ble Anne Viscountess Townshend, engraved by Thomas Watson and published in 1776 and republished in 1784 with the title "Three Graces Decorating Hymen". There was a large export trade in English prints in the 18th century.
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A large Viennese vase on a matching stand, with the same blue beehive mark, also painted after Reynolds, from his portrait of Lady Smith and her children, with gilt decoration on a light blue ground, was sold at Christie's, new York, as lot 194 on the 9th June 2014 for USD 13,750 including premium. This was also taken from a print, possibly the stipple engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi published in 1789.