A Youth Rescued from a Shark
Valentine Green, English, 1739 - 1813
after John Singleton Copley, American, 1738 - 1815
1797
Mezzotint, hand colored on wove paper
Sheet: 19 3/4 × 24 in. (50.2 × 61 cm)
Frame: 28 7/8 × 32 7/8 in. (73.3 × 83.5 cm)
Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth: Purchased through the Julia L. Whittier Fund
PR.952.21
Geography
Place Made: England, United Kingdom, Europe
Period
1600-1800
Object Name
Research Area
Not on view
Inscriptions
Inscribed, on plate, lower left: Painted by John Singleton Copley, R.A. Elect.; lower right: Engraved by V. Green, Mezzotinto Engraver to his Majesty, & to the Elector Palatine; lower center: A YOUTH RESCUED FROM A SHARK, / This Representation if founded on the following Fact: a Youth bathing in the Harbour of the Havannah, was / twice seized by a Shark, from which, (though with the loss of the Flesh & Foot, torn from the Right Leg,)He disentangled himself & was by the / assistance of a Boat's Crew, sav'd from the Jaws of the voracious Animal for in the Moment it was attempting to seize it's Prey, (a third time) a Sailor with a Boat Hook, / drove it from it's Pursuit.; Lower right: JEUNE HOMME sauvé de l’attaque d’un REQUIEN. / Le Sujet de ce Tableau est pris d’un Faitaveré. Une Jeune Homme se baignantau Port de la Havanne, fut poursuivi, et saisi à deux reprises, par un Requien, qui lui / arrache la chair erle Pied de la Jambe droite. Il sen degagea cependant, et fit effort pour se sauver, mais le Poisson renouvelleani l’attaque, se retournoit de ja pour saisir / meurtrierement lorsqu’un equipage de Chaloupe d’un Vausseau a la rade, le sauva de la gueule decet Animal vorace. Un Marin armé d’un Croe, l’enfonça dans le Corps du / Poisson et le força de s’eloigner de sa Proye.; lower center: Engraved from the Original Picture, in the Possession of Brook Watson, Esq.r to whom this plate is most respectfully inscribed by his most Obliged, & obedient Serv.t V. Green./Published July 1st. 1797, by V. & R. Green No. 14 Percy Street, Bedford Square, London.; stamped, in blue ink, on reverse, upper right: DARTMOUTH COLLEGE / DEPT. OF ART AND / ARCHEOLOGY
Exhibition History
Lower Jewett Corridor, Hopkins Center Art Galleries, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, October 1972.
New Selections from the College Collection, Carpenter Galleries, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, February 23-June 30, 1979.
Provenance
The Old Print Shop, New York, New York; sold to present collection, 1952.
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