Allegory of Astronomy

Art

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Allegory of Astronomy

Entry/Object ID

VC.58.31 a-b

Description

a. Painting: Figures in landscape: man in center examines armilary sphere with small magnifying glass; another man holds telescope to lady's eye; woman stands behind her holding an L square; man sits on rock with celestial globe on lap; at right, man explains something to lady; ground littered with instruments, including compass and protractor (square & sextant) in the background are ruins of Ionic columns, an arch, shrubbery, and trees; title at bottom of print reads: ASTRONOMY. "Printed by H.Overton." b. Frame: Black molding and an inner "sanded-spandrel" gilded and carved edge. The lower left-hand corner of the outer black frame is very chipped but has been painted over. Some worm holes and chips under new paint.

Artwork Details

Medium

varnish, glass, Ink, Oil Paint, Varnish, Glass, Ink, Oil Paint

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Richard Houston

Attribution

Engraver

Artist

H. Overton

Attribution

Printer

Artist

Unknown

Attribution

Artist

Date made

circa 1750

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

See description

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

VC.58.31 A & B
VC.58.31 A-B
VC.58.31a-b

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Frame

Height

14-3/4 in

Width

18-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 14 3/4 x 18 1/2 in. (37.5 x 47 cm)

Dimension Description

Glzd. area

Height

10 in

Width

14 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 10 x 14 in. (25.4 x 35.6 cm)

Condition

Notes

Remarks: During Winter Cleaning in January 2010, it was noticed that a hairline crack runs diagonally across the upper right corner; this appears to be in the glass as well as the painted surface; according to Barbara Barbieri, this is a change in the condition of the piece, although she could not pinpoint when the crack occured; she first noticed it while cleaning on sunny day when the room was brighter than usual [Jessa J. Krick, 1/25/2010]

Notes

Remarks: Painting: paint cracking and lifting Frame: not square; glass not set in frame

Notes

Remarks: Details of condition: There are areas where the hardened varnish and paint had pulled away from the glass. The brownish varnish has also obscured much of the original color

Relationships

Related Entries

Notes

VC.58.28 a-b - Painting - Part of set VC.58.29 a-b - Painting - Part of set VC.58.28 a-b - Painting - Similar item VC.58.29 a-b - Painting - Similar item VC.58.30 a-b - Painting - Similar item

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

Miscellaneous: - Method. The black print of a mezzotint engraving cemented to Crown or Bristol glass with oil of turpentine; paper removed in layers from the reverse, leaving only the ink lines and dots; oil color was applied from the reverse of glass; coat of mastic varnish on the transfer printed and painted glass was applied in transparent and protective coat. (See Hughes). The process was used from the late 17th century to about the 1770s. However, mezzotints were known in England as early as 1665 when Pepys mentions them in his diary. Neg. no.: 84 Harry Shaw Newman of the Old Print Shop supplied an 18th century frame.

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Van Cortlandt Manor, Storeroom/Curatorial Storage