TELEMACHUS IN ELYSIUM 1794 John Barlow - Louis Fabritius Dubourg ENGRAVING

Original 1794 10 inch x 7 3/4 inch etching and engraving titled TELEMACHUS IN ELYSIUM.

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: “These men, whom you on earth think dead, dear son, / Have in these realms of bliss true BEING won, / Here therefore they now live ____yea live; for know / That life, not such as here exists below, / But what men feel on earth, while they draw breath, / And travel to the dust is real death.”

’Published as the Act directs by M.A. Meilan, Oct’r, 20, 1794

Image size 5 3/4 inch x 5 inch

The engraving is in very good condition with age related toning. Reverse side blank.