Talk:William Bernard Cooke

Views on the Thames

The book on the thames mentioned (1811) was reissued later in better form as summarised here:

COOKE, W.B. & George, Views on the Thames. Issued with COOKE, W.B. & George, Descriptions of Views on the Thames. W.B. Cooke, 1822. Seventy-five steel engraved plates.

This work builds on Cooke's 1811 work on the Thames (COOKE, William Bernard The Thames Or graphic illustrations of seats, villas, public buildings and picturesque scenery on the Banks of that Noble River. Vernor, Hood & Sharpe, 1811.)

"Of the 84 plates based on Samuel Owen's drawings of the 1811 edition 38 are retained in 1822, all re-engraved and transformed by W.B. Cooke whose style had been romanticized through his work for Turner and his association with Peter de Wint. The etched shades are now blacker, more highlights are introduced, skies are eventful with massing clouds and flights of birds, and the foliage has become less stylized." - Adams (London Illustrated 1604-1851)

Initially issued in parts, between 1815-1822, and then as a single volume, it was available in three states, Royal Quarto (£8), Imperial Quarto with proof impressions (£12) and "a small number to be taken off on India paper, first proofs" (£15). "The 'de-luxe' edition, with illustrations on India paper, was clearly intended to supplant the older, standard work on Thames scenery, Boydell's History of the Thames." - Adams

Davidnugget (talk) 13:52, 15 August 2017 (UTC)

References