Old English colour prints

A richly illustrated survey of early British colour prints, this volume brings together more than thirty‑seven plates that once graced the walls of private collections. Each image is reproduced with care, from delicate stipple engravings of society portraits by Bartolozzi and Wilkin to lively mezzotints capturing countryside life by Morland and Gainsborough. The accompanying notes explain the techniques, the artists’ origins, and the stories behind the subjects, offering listeners a guided tour of the visual culture of the period.

Beyond the striking images, the book reveals the collaborative spirit of early‑twentieth‑century scholarship, acknowledging the collectors who loaned their treasures for reproduction. Listeners will hear about the interplay of English and continental styles, the popularity of allegorical figures like “Cupid bound by Nymphs,” and the everyday scenes that once adorned London’s bustling streets. It’s an inviting entry point for anyone curious about the art of engraving and the social world it reflected.