This is one of three fine early pencil signed lithographs by Copley that I have in my Iconic Edinburgh store. .
This one is entitled "The Sick King" [WR 105]. The Harold Wright catalogue of the lithographs of John Copley was first published in 1924.
John Copley's health was never good and he could genuinely relate to the subject of this print. The composition has gravity and strength achieved through Copley's powerful composition with its religious overtones. In particular, this image reflects the overwhelming influence of John Copley’s great mentor and friend, Ford Madox Brown. Copley repeated this composition many years later in the 1930s - a large watercolour painting of the same title, This entered the collection of the Royal Scottish Academy. A larger watercolour study close to the lithographic composition was sold for £1250 at Lyon and Turnbull Decorative Arts Sale (Lot 228) in 2011.
This original lithograph was published in 1914 from an exceptionally small edition of only 25 impressions. It is a work of museum quality: other examples in the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
This impression has a dedication lower left margin to the German-born portrait, travel, and topographic photographer, Emile Otto Hoppe (1878 - 1972). He took a fabulous portrait photograph of Copley's wife Ethel Gabain in 1917, and another of her painting a portrait of Virginia Jay.
This work is being sold UNFRAMED. It is in excellent antique condition with no issues or damages.
Dimensions: Image size 33 x 33 cm.
UK Postage will be £10 with Royal Mail tracked and insured.