Late 18th.Century pen and ink drawing The Musical Monster after the original etching by John Hamilton Mortimer R.A. 1740-1779. Drawn on Villedary Laid paper. 25.4 by 34 cms Sheet. Circa.1790.
Beautifully executed pen and ink copy after Mortimers original etchings of monsters. Fantastical finned hybrids, the monsters are shown seducing or struggling with beautiful nymphs, while others are depicted fighting or interacting with other monsters. The strange, otherworldly subjects are very much in keeping with the spirit of the British Romantic movement, in which Mortimer was a central proponent, along with Henry Fuseli, Barry and Haydon.