VENUS SUPPLICATING JUPITER TO WRECK TELEMACHUS 1793 John Barlow ENGRAVING

Original 1793 10 inch x 7 3/4 inch etching and engraving titled VENUS SUPPLICATING JUPITER TO WRECK TELEMACHUS.

From ‘The Adventures of Telemachus’ an epic poem by the French Archbishop François Fénelon with alterations by the Rev. Mark Anthony Meilan. Mark Anthony Meilan was a writer, born about 1743, who at one time had a job in the post-office, which he resigned in order to become an instructor in private families in English, bookkeeping, shorthand, languages, the arts and sciences. He took holy orders, and for some time served the curacy of St. John, Wapping. In 1809 he was assistant minister of St. Mary, Newington, Surrey.

Engraved by John Barlow (c. 1760 - 1810). Reproductive etcher, working in London.

After Louis Fabritius Dubourg (1693 - 1775). Louis Fabritius Dubourg was an historical painter, and an engraver born in Amsterdam. He was a pupil of De Lairesse and Jacob van Huysum. After producing several beautiful pictures, some of which may be seen at the Westerkerk and the New Church at Amsterdam, he exchanged the brush for the graver, and executed some vignettes and other small compositions, and also etched a number of plates from his own designs. His collection of pictures and drawings was sold at Amsterdam in 1776.

Text below image: “To supplicate her sire, the CYPRIAN queen, / His daughter, hither came of beauteous mein, / Whose constellated charms display’d to sight / A radiance for even heavenly eyes too bright.”

’Published as the Act directs by M.A. Meilan, July 4, 1793

Image size 5 3/4 inch x 5 inch

The engraving is in very good condition with age related toning and a crease in the lower left corner. Reverse side blank.