Britannia inspecting the arts
Date
1754
Creator
Charles Grignion I (1717 - 1810, British) , Engraver
After
Samuel Wale (1721 - 1786, British) , Artist
Object type
Library reference
R62588
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 215mm
width (print): 128mm
width (print): 128mm
Subject
Description
Allegorical scene, showing Britannia seated, with various objects and drawings scattered at her feet, reading a list of inventions and other material forming the content of the 1754 Gentleman’s Magazine. Behind, an obelisk bearing this date. The main list, on a scroll, is held by Mercury, who also holds a smaller scroll ‘ANALYSIS of Beauty’. Supported by other mythological figures, including winged putti, one of whom collects a list of political events, commencing with ‘Invasion of America’.
Frontispiece to The Gentleman’s Magazine, and historical chronicle…[edited] by Sylvanus Urban, v.24, (1754).
Inscribed above: ‘Frontispiece to the Gent. Mag, 1754’. Inscribed below, with the couplet: ‘See Arts Britannia’s Sons control/And Athens rising near the Pole. [Alexander] Pope’. Also inscribed below: ‘S. Wale inv. C. Grignion sculp.’
Frontispiece to The Gentleman’s Magazine, and historical chronicle…[edited] by Sylvanus Urban, v.24, (1754).
Inscribed above: ‘Frontispiece to the Gent. Mag, 1754’. Inscribed below, with the couplet: ‘See Arts Britannia’s Sons control/And Athens rising near the Pole. [Alexander] Pope’. Also inscribed below: ‘S. Wale inv. C. Grignion sculp.’
Associated place