Spooner After (3 results)

Condition: Good. Mezzotint. 152 x 115 mm. (sheet). Very Good, margins trimmed, sheet affixed to support board.Provenance: From the collection of the Late Frederick G. Ruffner, Jr., founder of Gale Research, Detroit.

A young boy wearing a night-gown, walking left to right, blowing on a glowing charcoal held in right hand, holding a candle set in a candle holder with a broad pan and a handle in the other, with the moon among clouds above to left. Lettered at bottom: 'G. Schalcken pinx.t // C. Spooner fecit. // Printed for Carington Bowles, next the Chapter House, St. Pauls Church Yard, London.' Mezzotint on paper with margins; plate mark: 153 x 114 mm, total: 216 x 144 mm; countermark visible on the top margin; some traces of folding and top left corner damaged, not affecting the plate. …

Mezzotint measuring 222 by 130mm, plate size: 150 by 115mm. Some very slight toning to edges, London, Printed for J. Smith at Hogarth's Head, Cheapside, A lovely copy of this famous portrait of the Colonial Governor. Robert Monckton (1726-1782) was born in Yorkshire and educated at Westminster. He joined the 3rd Foot Guards in 1741 and fought in the Austrian War of Succession. By 1752 he'd been promoted to lieutenant-colonel and was posted to Nova Scotia.   Monckton was in North America throughout the Seven Years' War. He served on the provincial council at Halifax, was appointed lieutenant-governor of Annapolis Royal, and in 1755 led a successful surprise attack against the French in Nova Scotia. His actions during the war, such destroying French settlements along St John's River, led to promotions, including being appointed second in command to General Wolfe on his expedition against Quebec. He played a vital part in that campaign, leading four battalions to Point Brevis, which "was of immense strategic importance; artillery batteries were soon constructed, and on 12 July commenced a destructive fire upon the city. Elements of Monckton's command participated in Wolfe's attempt of 31 July to lure the French defenders into a confrontation by landing troops on the Beauport shore, between Quebec and the Montmorenci River; the first wave of grenadiers attacked without waiting for their supports and were repulsed with heavy losses. Monckton's troops subsequently landed in good order, and covered the withdrawal of the survivors" (ODNB). He remained on good terms with General Wolfe throughout the campaign, which Wolfe's other two brigadiers did not. As such it is only Monckton who appears in Benjamin West's celebrated painting, The Death of General Wolfe. Monckton's actions culminated in his appointment to governor and commander-in-chief of New York in 1761.…