Dagley, Richard (ca. 1765-1841)

The Antiquary [Death's Doings (publication title), 1828]

Plate from Richard Dagley's book: 'Death's Doings; Consisting of Numerous Original Compositions, in Verse and Prose, the Friendly Contributions of Various Writers: Principally Intended as Illustrations of Thirty Copper-plates Designed and Etched by R. Dagley.' The poem dedicated to the Antiquarian is composed by Cheviot Tichburn and it extends from page 199 to 201, introduced by this etching. The expresses a sort of criticism towards this profession that rather than looking at the present and take action is totally devoted to the past. Yet when death shows up in his shop, holding a shield bearing the antiquarian's name he cannot do anything but leave is life along with all the treasures he collected and was about to sell. Monogrammed on the bottom right: 'RD', inscribed on the shield held by death: 'HIC / JACET / JONATHAN / OLDBUCK / F.A.S. / Obit'l Etching and engraving on paper, cut on the right side on plate mark; total: 209 x 126 mm; some stains on the plate and along the margins, pencil annotations within plate and on he verso, referring to the provenance of the plate, mounted in passepartout

Antiquariaat GoltziusProfessional seller

Book number: 60902

Catalogue: (general) Allegory Antiquarian Death Professions