Prints and Principles

Most of the recent posts give details about individual prints and earlier posts discuss some of the subtle principles guiding artists in making images meaningful and memorable. For prints that are unsold, click "Items still available for sale" below. All other prints are no longer available. My contact email is oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com and my Instagram username is @printsandprinciples. I have created a separate blog to show my own work: https://printsandprinciplesjamesbrown.blogspot.com

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

James Watson, “The Revd. Mr Zachariah Mudge, Prebend of Exeter”, 1765, after Joshua Reynolds

James Watson (1730? –1790)

“The Revd. Mr Zachariah Mudge, Prebend of Exeter”, 1765

Edward Hamilton (1874) gives the following insights about the Reverend Zachariah Mudge: “Prebendary of Exeter; Vicar of St. Andrew's, Plymouth; author of an ingenious Essay for a New Version of the Psalms. Reynolds' earliest friend.” (p. 40; see digitised copy via Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/catalogueraisonn00hamiiala/page/40/mode/2up)

Technical Details & Condition:

Mezzotint on fine 18th-century French laid paper. The sheet features a classic Auvergne countermarked structure: one half of the sheet bears the “T [Bell-Tower symbol] DUPUY FIN” watermark of the famous Thomas Dupuy paper mill, while the corresponding half displays the regional countermark “AUVERGNE 1742”. While the watermark bears the mandatory tax year of 1742, the paper itself dates between 1742 and the late 1780s due to prolonged regional use of the 1742 mould layout.

This sheet survives with generous full margins well beyond the platemark. This publication state was issued in London between 1765 and 1766 by the publishers Ryland & Bryer (William Wynne Ryland and Henry Bryer), after the celebrated oil portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792).

The impression is strong, deep, and well-printed, beautifully retaining the rich, velvety black tones characteristic of a fresh mezzotint plate. Aside from minor, professional spot-touches to tiny dot breaks within the deep velvety areas of the mezzotint, the sheet is in very good condition—completely free of tears, folds, significant stains, or handling marks.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 39.9 x 31.5 cm
• Platemark: 33.2 x 23 cm
• Image borderline: 28.1 x 23 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Left: “Reynolds pinx^t.”
• Centre: “The Rev^d_ʺ M^r_ʺ Zachariah Mudge, Prebend of Exeter &c.&c. / Sold by Ryland & Bryer at the Kings Arms Cornhill.”
• Right: “Watson fecit.”

References:

• Edward Hamilton, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Engraved Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A., London, P & D Colnaghi and Co.: 1874 edition, p. 40 (for biographical details; see digitised copy via Internet Archive); see also the expanded 1884 edition, p. 52, state III
• Gordon Goodwin, “British Mezzotinters: Thomas Watson, James Watson and Elizabeth Judkins”, 1904, London, A H Bullen, pp. 81-208
• British Museum: Museum No. 1902,1011.6475 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1902-1011-6475)

Price & Shipping:

AU$267 (approximately US$183,72 / €161.05 / £138.72), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this magnificent mezzotint—please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.