John Montagu, Earl of Sandwich, Viscount Hinchingbrook. This fine engraving done in 1774 by Valentine Green, ‘Engraver in Metzotinto to his Majesty’, after the work by ‘J. Zoffani.’ Within a copy of an eighteenth century print frame, ebonized oak with a sanded gilt slip.
o.s:18.5 in x 24.5 in
John Montagu was the first lord of the Admiralty between 1748 and 1751 and again between 1771 and 1782. During this latter period in particular he was accused of considerable corruption, taking bribes and distributing political positions. During the American Revolution he insisted on keeping much of the British Fleet in European waters to guard against French attack leading to much criticism for a lack of naval preparedness. His promotion of exploration encouraged Captain Cook to name the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) after him and the invention of the sandwich, necessitated by long periods of losing money at the cards table continues to bear his name.
Hugh Chisholm, writing in the 11th edition of the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, said of Valentine Green ‘His engravings are distinguished by exceptional richness and subtlety of tone, and by very judicious management of relations of light and shade; and they have, almost without exception, notable freshness and grace of handling.’
18th Century & Earlier
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