Plate 37: Landskip with Archers, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 37 of 'A New Book of Chinese Designs', consisting of a title page, index, and 120 plates, etched and published in 1754 by the British caricaturist, printseller and ornamental engraver Matthew Darly, in collaboration with George Edwards. The book consists of a variety of ornamental and costume designs of Chinese inspiration, some of them copies of the original works (including the title).
This plate represents a landscape with two riding archers, which point towards two stylized birds that fly on the upper right corner of the sheet. The archers have a quiver on their right hip, and their horses gallop, rein-free, while the archers concentrate on their objective. They are running across an island with grass, bushes, and plants with fruits, by the water, which is seen in the background, with elevated houses and sailing ships.
