The Horse and the Lioness. by George Stubbs (after), 1724-1806

George Stubbs (after), 1724-1806
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The Horse and the Lioness.

Mezzotint in black ink with original period hand-colouring. 1774. With the inscription: George Stubbs pinxt. 1771 Benjn. Green fecit, 1774.' Issued by Green June 1774 as a part of the set 'Six Prints of Horses by Benjamin Green after George Stubbs'. Extremely fine and very rare impression from the original 1774, before the re-issue by Sayer 1791.
Ref: Lennox-Boyd, Dixon & Clayton-Stubbs Engraved Work 37ii/iii

Extremely fine impression with hand colouring. On pale cream light laid 18th century paper. Generally exceptionally fine condition; one 1/2inch tear repaired in the upper margin not entering the platemark; very small margin edge paper loss at the foot of the sheet, not entering the plate area. 3/8-5/8inch margins. Sheet: 18 5/8 x 23 5/8ins. Plate: 17 5/8 x 22 3/8ins (448x568mm)

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The themes of Stubbs' romantic prints were mostly taken, at least in concept, from paintings. As early as 1767 Stubbs agreed with the great mezzotint printmaker Benjamin Green that he could make a series of six mezzotints reproducing themes from Stubbs' romantic horse paintings. Green was already a highly admired professional printmaker by that date, and Stubbs hoped that allowing Green to use his themes would only serve to increase his, Stubbs', reputation, and eventually aid the sales of his own prints.

Certainly in the early 1770's it was probably through Benjamin Green's prints that Stubbs was best known to the public. Green was an extremely gifted artist and a brilliant exponent of mezzotint. The Horse and the Lioness was one of the last of the series of prints that Stubbs authorized. It appeared in 1774, just 3 years before Stubbs' own version of the theme. Fine examples of Green's prints after Stubbs have become very rare nowadays. This impression also has hand-colour contemporaneous with the print. It was the practice at the period to offer some hand-coloured examples for sale, as it was felt that it added to the appeal of the work.

Also see the notes on Stubbs in Sweetwilliam.