FALSTAFF 1776 John Hamilton Mortimer - William Shakespeare ANTIQUE ETCHING

Original 1776 13 3/4 inch x 16 3/4 inch Etching titled FALSTAFF
From Henry IV, Act 5, Scene 4

Etched and published on May 20th 1775 by John Hamilton Mortimer, Norfolk Street, Strand, London.

This etching comes from a series that Mortimer devoted to leading Shakespearean characters, based on drawing exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1775. Merging the 17th century genres of the character head and tete d’expression, Mortimer’s designs also incorporate elements of history painting to convey the Bard’s inventive range.
”There’s a merry heart good master silence / I’ll give you a health for that anon”.

The engraving is in fair condition with some damp staining. It has a thicker paper backing.