VIEW OF THE REMARKABLE CATARACT, ON THE RIVER TEESE 1771 ANTIQUE ENGRAVING

Original 1771 6 1/8 inch x 11 inch copper plate engraving titled VIEW OF THE REMARKABLE CATARACT, ON THE RIVER TEESE, WHICH DIVIDES THE COUNTIES OF YORK & DURHAM.

Landscape with the waterfall on the river Teese known as the High Force, with a bowl formed by granite cliffs over which two streams of water are pouring; in the bowl of water stands an angler with two onlookers on the cliff above in the foreground.

After Thomas Smith of Derby (c.1720 - 1767). An artist of whom little is known, Thomas Smith 'of Derby' is nonetheless a pivotal figure in the genesis of the English picturesque. His series of 'Eight of the most extraordinary Natural Prospects in the Mountainous Part of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, commonly called the Peak' are the earliest prints to depict features of the English countryside as pure landscape in its own right.
Smith gauged his market well and by 1751 had published a total of fifty large prints of English natural scenery, parks and ruins.

From ‘The complete English Traveller; a new survey and Description of England and wales. Containing a full Account of whatever is curious and entertaining in the several Counties of England and Wales, The Isles of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, and other islands adjoining to, and dependant on the Crown of Great Britain’ by Nathaniel Spencer.

Printed for John Cooke, Shakespeare’s Head, Paternoster Row, London 1771.

Page size 9 inch x 14 inch

The engraving, on chain-laid paper, is in very good condition with minor age related toning. Reverse side blank.