Emma

After Richard Cosway British
Publisher John Raphael Smith British
1785
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 engraved and published the prints in 1785 as part of a set including "Octavia" and "Ariadne" designed by John Hoppner.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Emma
  • Artist: John Raphael Smith (British, baptized Derby 1751–1812 Doncaster)
  • Artist: After Richard Cosway (British, Oakford, Devon 1742–1821 London)
  • Publisher: John Raphael Smith (British, baptized Derby 1751–1812 Doncaster)
  • Date: 1785
  • Medium: Soft-ground etching and stipple engraving, partly printed in color
  • Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed within plate): 9 1/8 × 5 1/16 in. (23.2 × 12.9 cm)
    Sheet (printed border): 12 3/16 × 8 1/8 in. (31 × 20.7 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1962
  • Object Number: 62.602.721
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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