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Emma

Engraver John Raphael Smith British
After Richard Cosway British
Publisher Rudolph Ackermann, London British
April 2, 1802
Not on view
A shepherdess, who may be an idealized portrait of Maria Cosway, reads from a large book as her flock drinks from a fountain. Inspired by Mathew Prior's poem "Henry and Emma" (1709), Richard Cosway represented the title characters in paired images, and John Raphael Smith first engraved and published the prints in 1785 as part of a set including "Octavia" and "Ariadne" designed by John Hoppner. This example of "Emma" was reissued in 1802 by Ackermann.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Emma
  • Engraver: John Raphael Smith (British, baptized Derby 1751–1812 Doncaster)
  • Artist: After Richard Cosway (British, Oakford, Devon 1742–1821 London)
  • Publisher: Rudolph Ackermann, London (British, active 1794–1832)
  • Date: April 2, 1802
  • Medium: Stipple engraving; second state
  • Dimensions: Plate: 9 1/4 × 5 1/4 in. (23.5 × 13.3 cm)
    Sheet: 9 5/8 × 5 11/16 in. (24.5 × 14.5 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.3.887-52
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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John Raphael Smith - Emma - The Metropolitan Museum of Art