An Excursion to Brighthelmstone, made in the year 1789, by Henry Wigstead and Thomas Rowlandson...Embellished with Eight Engravings in Aquatinta, from Views Taken on the Road, to, and at that Place
This volume contains a lengthy text and eight aquatints representing posting houses on the road between London and Brighthelmstone (Brighton), together with some of the town's chief attractions. When George Prince of Wales built a summer residence at Brighton, it developed into a popular seaside resort. The text begins: "The following descriptive account...is intended to give those who have not visited that delightfully situated town and its environs, an idea of the pleasure with which a lively and feeling mind will be impressed... Brighthelmstone...is now become highly interesting on several accounts.–The purity of the air, the ever varying prospects of the sea, the excellent accomodation of strangers, and the acknowledged superiorty of the bathing machines... When we also consider that a personage as remarkable for generosity and affability and as delightful of discerning and rewarding merit as he is exalted by birth, has fixed upon this chearful [sic] and salubrious spot for his summer residence, we are not surprised at seeing a multitude of persons of both sexes (the pride and admiration of Britain) following the royal visitor to the English Baiae."
Artwork Details
- Title: An Excursion to Brighthelmstone, made in the year 1789, by Henry Wigstead and Thomas Rowlandson...Embellished with Eight Engravings in Aquatinta, from Views Taken on the Road, to, and at that Place
- Series/Portfolio: Excursion to Brighthelmstone
- Author: Henry Wigstead (British, 1745?–1800 Margate)
- Artist: Drawn and etched by Thomas Rowlandson (British, London 1757–1827 London)
- Etcher: Aquatinted by Samuel Alken (British, London 1756–1815 London)
- Dedicatee: George IV, King of Great Britain and Ireland (British, London 1762–1830 Windsor)
- Publisher: G. G. J. & J. Robinson (London)
- Printer: Stephenson's British Letter-Foundry (British, late 18th century)
- Binder: Joseph Zaehnsdorf (British (born Hungary), Pest 1814–1886 London)
- Date: 1790
- Medium: Letterpress, etching and aquatint
- Dimensions: 14 x 19 5/16 x 1/2 in. (35.6 x 49.1 x 1.3 cm)
- Classifications: Albums, Prints, Books
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1928
- Object Number: 28.89(1-9)
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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