A Seat in St. James's Park

1870

Not on view

Londoners from different walks of life are here brought close to one another on a park bench–a soldier, a nursemaid, a well-dressed gentleman, and a poor violin player. This large print, possibly intended for the weekly periodical "The Graphic" as a double-page supplement, was never published because the woodblock (now Victoria and Albert Museum) developed a crack. Just a few proofs on special paper, as here, appear to have been printed. It is a larger and more elaborate version of the subject Pinwell had designed in 1869 as a wood engraving for "Once a Week". That year he also exhibited a watercolour of the composition (Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney) to great acclaim. In fact this print might have been a commission from "The Graphic" to disseminate the watercolour to a wider audience and capitalize on the artist's growing reputation. In April 1869 he was elected an associate member of the Royal Watercolour Society.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

References

Title: A Seat in St. James's Park
Artist: After George John Pinwell (British, London 1842–1875 London)
Engraver: Joseph Swain (British, Oxford 1820–1909 London)
Date: 1870
Medium: Wood engraving on chine volant; proof before letters
Dimensions: Image: 8 7/8 × 11 13/16 in. (22.5 × 30 cm)
Sheet: 11 13/16 × 15 1/8 in. (30 × 38.4 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1928
Object Number: 28.87.26(2)
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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The Island Bee, from "Picture Poesies", George John Pinwell British, Wood engraving — The Island Bee, from "Picture Poesies"
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first published 1867, reissued 1874

Grand Pianoforte, Érard , made in London French, Satinwood veneer, oak, spruce, iron, steel, ebony, ivory, gilding, mother-of-pearl, holly, mahogany, burl walnut, tulipwood, silver wire, British — Grand Pianoforte
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Designer George Henry Blake
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Love in Death, for "Good Words", Frederick Walker British, Wood engraving on chine volant; proof — Love in Death, for "Good Words"
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Shadow and Substance, from "Picture Poesies", George John Pinwell British, Wood engraving — Shadow and Substance, from "Picture Poesies"
After George John Pinwell
Engraver Dalziel Brothers
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first published 1867, reissued 1874

Concertina, Charles Wheatstone British, Rosewood, nickel-silver, leather, paper, ivory, tortoiseshell; case of mahogany, British — Concertina
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