Arthur Leonard Cox (English, 1879-1961) engraved this beautiful mezzotint of the painting titled "Noontide" (Constable's Country) by Samuel David Colkett (English, 1806-1863). The title refers to the time of day (noontide, or noon) in the area in East England known as Constable Country that was depicted by the famous artist John Constable in many of his oil paintings.
The engraving was published in limited edition and pencil signed at the lower right margin 'Arthur L. Cox.' Written in very tiny script in the center margin are the words: Copyright 1937 in the United States of America by Alfred Bell & Co Ltd Old Bond Street London England. The writing is so tiny we were unable to photograph it, but we have included page 138 of The Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries for 1937 that shows the entry for this engraving. There is also an impressed, unknown monogram that reads ZOJC in an oval on the bottom left margin.
The landscape depicts a bucolic setting with flowering trees, a thatched roof cottage and a windmill in the distance. A woman and child have stopped to chat with a man on horseback under a partly cloudy sky. The colors have a slightly misty look about them, very pleasing to the eye.
The print area measures 16 inches by 13 1/2 inches, set under a white mat bordered by two gold lines. The frame is gold wood with a beaded edge and measures 26 1/2 inches tall by 23 inches wide. It was reframed after 1989, when the True-Vue UV protected glass was introduced (there's a sticker on the back.) The framer thankfully kept the original tan paper information sticker. The piece weighs 6 3/4 pounds and there is a hanging wire and hardware installed on the back.
The mezzotint, glass and frame are all in excellent condition, with no stains or damage. It's a stunning, large artwork, ready to hang and admire.
* A bit of history:
Arthur Leonard Cox studied art in Paris. He was a mezzotint engraver of more than 50 plates who exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts and with the Society of Mezzotint Engravers.
Samuel David Colkett was an English artist known for his work in oil painting. He was a member of the Norwich School of painters.
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