BATTLE OF HASTINGS 1804 Philip James de Loutherbourg William Bromley ENGRAVING

Original 1804 12 3/8 inch x 10 1/8 inch etching and engraving of THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS.
Battle scene with soldiers on horseback engaged in sword and axe fight with foot soldiers over the dead in left foreground, troops approaching with pikes at right.

Engraved by William Bromley (1769 - 1842). Painter, line engraver, etcher, occasional mezzotinter, and publisher; exhibited his engravings at the Royal Academy 1786-1842; father of John Charles, Frederick and Clough Bromley.

After the painting by Philip James de Loutherbourg (1740 - 1812). De Loutherbourg was born in Strasbourg, the son of a miniature painter and engraver. He trained in France, specialising in landscape painting, and he was subsequently made painter to Louis XIV. In 1771 he came to England at the invitation of the actor-manager, David Garrick and painted spectacular sets for the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His interest in technical innovation led to the 'Eidophusikon', a precursor of the cinema using transparent images and light effects. He was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy, to which he was elected in 1781. As well as dramatic landscapes, he produced history paintings and published prints recording his tours of picturesque scenery in England and Wales.

Published by Robert Bowyer, Historic Gallery Pall Mall, London, 1st March 1804.

Image size 11 1/4 inch x 8 1/2 inch

The engraving is in good condition with a crease in the lower left corner.