Card Players, with Flush and Pam

Book Description

London: Published by J. Dean, Bentnick Street, Soho, May 1, 1786. Mezzotint. Printed on watermarked laid paper. In good condition with a skillfully mended tear along the lower plate mark. Image size: 15 5/16 x 20 7/9 inches. 16 7/8 x 20 7/8 inches. 17 13/16 x 21 7/8 inches. A charming mezzotint of three children playing cards, engraved by John Dean after John Opie. John Opie demonstrated a remarkable talent at a young age. He became the protégé of the poet John Wolcot who briefly trained him in the arts of painting and drawing. In 1781 he was introduced to London Society as "The Cornish Wonder," and was hailed as a self-taught genius. Opie was greatly influenced by the "fancy pictures" of Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough, and his work echoed their idealized vision. Opie was an extremely accomplished portrait painter who enjoyed a long period of success in London. His work remains universally admired for both its beauty and its sincerity. Speaking of Opie, James Northcote observed that where, " Other artists paint to live; Opie lives to paint." This pretty picture of three young card players, skillfully engraved by John Dean, is an eloquent example of Opie's talent. John Dean learned the art of mezzotint from Valentine Green, and exhibited frequently in London between 1777 and 1791. Benezit, Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs; Le Blanc, Manuel de L'Amateur D'Estampes 101

Not sure what some of these terms mean? Look it up in our glossary.