David Spareth Saul at Hachilah. 1835. A Night Piece. by John Martin, 1789-1854

John Martin, 1789-1854
Scroll down for information.
Click here to return to the list.

David Spareth Saul at Hachilah. 1835. A Night Piece.

Original mezzotint with touches of etching, in black ink. 1835. Extremely fine early impression. With the addresses of Martin, Ackermann and Morlot, and with the 'Déposé', all lightly inked but with no 'proof'. The richness of the impression precludes this being a later impression (see note below). Issued as no 16 in the series 'The Bible'.
Ref: Campbell - John Martin Visionary Printmaker no 107.

Extremely fine rich impression. On soft cream wove paper. Generally excellent original condition; print surface excellent, some very slight time soil in the outer margins, inner margins fine. With 1/4 to 1 3/4inch margins. Sheet: 11 1/2 x 16 7/8ins. Plate: 10 1/2 x 14ins ( 265x356mm).

This item is sold.
Click here to enquire about this item.

This 'night piece' is one of the most inspired examples of Martin's creative use of mezzotint from the later period of his work The balance between the darkest shadows and the small highlights from the moon must have been extremely difficult to control in the wiping of the plate. This impression is an exceptionally successful example of this print.

(See the notes to 'The Fall of Man'. 1831)

The earliest proofs before lettering of Martin's mezzotints for The Bible series are extremely rare, but when found they show the full brilliance of his extraordinary visionary use of the medium at its absolute finest. The two works 'The Covenant. 1832. and The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah' are amongst the most famous compositions from the series.

See also the notes on Blake inChrist Tempted in the Wilderness. 1824., The Fall of Man.'1831, The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. 1832. andThe Flood. 1830.