J. Gwyn, J.Hall  c. 1763

Click on Pictures for a Larger View

Description:

This is a beautiful etching / engraving which I believe to be a print from the book, "Ecole d'Armes, published in 1763.   This is an engraving with the original hand color.  This handsome picture is framed in a black reverse-painted glass.  I don't believe this is a reproduction; it appears to date back to the mid 1700's.  

According to some research:

"Back in the late 1700's there was a fencing master named Domenico Angelo. He is credited with being the first one to teach fencing as a sport rather than just as practice for dueling and self-defense. 

Fencing was an indispensable part of a gentleman's education. England seems to have learned the art abroad until 1755, when foil fencer Dominico Angelo Malevolti Tremamondo (1716-1802), known as Angelo, came to London and stayed to establish a dynasty of fencing masters. 

In 1763 Angelo published L'Ecole d'Armes illustrated with forty-seven copper-plates by famous English artists such as Gwyn and Ryland, Hall, Chamber and Grignion. The special presentation copy of the original drawings for Angelo's large and lavishly illustrated folio L'Ecole des Armes, published in 1763, was later acquired by Lord Farnham. In 1961 it was sold at Sotheby's to the American collector, Paul Mellon, and is now in the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. The Royal Library at Windsor has a proof set of reduced plates commissioned in 1765 for Diderot's encyclopedia. Hand-coloured, mounted and bound in red morocco with a cusped yellow leather border, the plates are prefaced by a manuscript dedication by Angelo to the Prince of Wales."

On the bottom of this engraving of the two men fencing,  it says:

"Position apres avoir desarme sur le coup de tierce."

"Publish according to Act of Parliament 1763."

On the lower left is the signature that says, "J. Gwyn Delin."  "Delin" is a common term at the time that refers to the original artist or draughtsman, meaning "drew or designed."

On the lower right hand corner is "Hall Sculp."  The term, "sculp." refers to the engraver or etcher, the craftsman who created the printed image.  In this case, it most likely refers to J. Hall, who was a famous engraver during the mid-1700's.  

This is about all I could find out about this magnificent work of art.  It is probably a copper engraved print, but perhaps some knowledgeable eBayer can provide me more information that I could then pass along.

The condition of the piece seems to be very good for its age.  

The piece framed measures approximately 18" wide and 15" high.  What a great gift this would make for a man's office or den.  Good Luck on your Bids!