About this sheet
Lot of 5 col. aquatints, by Mathew DUBOURG after various artists.
These original antique prints were drawn (designated by "Del.", short for delineavit, Latin for "he/she drew it") by J.H. Clark and were published and sold on May 1st, 1813.
Edw. Orme Bend Street London" refers to Edward Orme, a publisher based on Bond Street in London, known for producing and selling high-quality prints during the early 19th century.
The term "Sculp", short for "sculpsit," indicates the engraver, in this case, M. Dubourg, who would have been responsible for engraving the images onto a surface for printing. These details highlight that the prints are of English origin and were produced by notable figures in the London art scene at the time. Edward Orme's establishment was a significant purveyor of prints, and such detailed works would have been collected by those with an interest in art, culture, and the wider world.
This date places the prints in the early 19th century, a period rich in exploration and documentation of various cultures around the world through art. These prints would have served as a way for people to see and learn about activities and practices from different parts of the world that they might never have the chance to witness in person. The detailed and colored nature of the prints suggests that they were likely intended for an audience with an interest in the exotic and the educational.
This collection of five prints offers a vivid tableau of hunting and gathering practices from various corners of the globe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Each print captures a moment of interaction between humans and nature, showcasing the diverse methods and environments in which these activities took place.
1. "Finland Bear Hunting": A serene winter scene in Finland where a solitary hunter, aided by his faithful dogs, engages in the dangerous pursuit of bear hunting amidst the snowy landscape.
2. "Caffres Hunting a Lion": An adrenaline-charged depiction of a group of Caffre hunters in a coordinated effort to take down a lion, demonstrating their bravery and skill in the face of such a formidable predator.
3. "Russian Winter Fishery": A peaceful image portraying the communal effort of Russian fishermen extracting their catch from beneath the ice, highlighting the harsh conditions and resourcefulness required in such a frigid environment.
4. "German Fox Trap": A snapshot of woodland cunning, where a German fox is caught in a traditional trap, illustrating the time-honored methods of trapping and the constant battle of wits between humans and wildlife.
5. "Greenland Seal Catching": A dynamic scene capturing the solitary and risky endeavor of a Greenlandic Inuit hunter navigating treacherous waves in a kayak to hunt seals, reflecting the intimate knowledge and respect for the sea that such hunting requires.
Together, these prints not only depict the global nature of subsistence practices but also the cultural significance and adaptation of humans to their diverse environments.
