Harwich, Essex

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

This print is taken from William Daniell’s ‘A Voyage Round Great Britain’, published between 1814 and 1825. The work became Daniell’s best known publication and the plates are now considered a highpoint in the history of aquatint engraving. All 308 illustrations were engraved by Daniell from his own pencil drawings, made at each site. From 1813 Daniell travelled clockwise around the coast of Britain, starting and finishing his journey at Lands End. Accompanying text for the first two volumes was written by playwright and writer Richard Ayton (c.1786-1823), who travelled with Daniell on the first of his sketching tours for the volumes. All subsequent text was written by Daniell himself.

William Daniell was a much travelled landscape painter. In 1784 he went to India with his uncle, the artist Thomas Daniell, where he assisted Thomas with his drawing and sketching. By the time they returned to England in 1794, William was not only a proficient draughtsman but had also perfected the art of aquatinting. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1807 and a Royal Academician in 1822. He refused the post of draughtsman to an Australian expedition to instead make numerous sketching tours throughout England and Scotland. Daniell is regarded as a superb aquatinter and his best works are thought to be among his Scottish views for ‘Voyage Round Great Britain’. He died in London in 1837.

Places

England, Essex

Subjects

topography, seascape/coastal scene, townscape/cityscape

Materials & Techniques

aquatint, coloured aquatint

Artist

William Daniell (1769 - 1837)

Title

Harwich, Essex

Date

published 1 July 1822

Medium

Coloured aquatint

Dimensions

height: 25.50 cm, width: 35.50 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Baynton-Williams, May 1975

GAC number

11915