A TIGRESS, 1798 - ENGRAVED BY JOHN MURPHY BY PERMISSION OF GEORGE STUBBS.

A rare mezzotint by John Murphy after the original painting by George Stubbs.

Likely engraved from the life-size portrait of the iconic Bengal tigress which was presented to the fourth Duke of Marlborough in Oxfordshire by Robert Clive, according to a set of recently discovered 18th century ledgers. This was a time when exotic animals including lions, tigers and elephants, were considered the ultimate status symbols for the British aristocracy.

This tigress was the subject of three paintings by George Stubbs, who visited the palace to paint her from life. One remains oil display at the palace, and another solid for £7.9 million at auction in 1995. This is not the first engraving of this painting as it was previously engraved by John Dixon in 1772. After that engraving plate was destroyed in a fire, John Murphy was given permission by Stubbs to complete his own engraving of the work and the result was this superb painterly image that has been highly sought-after by collectors and museums ever since.

Titled in the lower-mid "A Tigress" and noted below that "London. Published July 27 1798. by J. Murphy, North site Paddington Green", the left corner reads "Engraved by John Murphy by permission of W. Stubbs from the picture painted by himself and in his possession".

This example is one of the finest engravings produced in the history of mezzotint. It is in a carefully conserved and well-preserved state, with its original colouring, and housed in its original frame.

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Provenance: Sothebys London 13th November 1997 (lot 686) $8624 with premium. Private collection Germany.

Mezzotint Executed: 1798

Plate: 24 1/8 in X 19 1/4 in / 63cm x 49cm Framed: 27 1/2 in x 24in / 70cm x 62.5cm

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