Robert DeLaunay

The Death of General Wolfe

Robert DeLaunay's original engraving, "The Death of General Wolfe" is based upon a design created by Benjamin West. It is printed upon late eighteenth century wove paper and with margins cropped to within a centimeter of the engraving. The title has thus been eliminated from the lower margin. This original engraving entitled, "The Death of General Wolfe" is a fine, original example of the art created by the French artist, Robert DeLaunay.

Original Engraving by the French artist, Robert DeLaunay designed by Benjamin West.

The Death of General Wolfe

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Title:	The Death of General Wolfe
Engraver:	DeLaunay, Robert (Paris, 1749 - 1814)
Designer:	West, Benjamin (1738-1820)
Date:	c. 1780 - 1795
Medium:	Original Engraving
Note:	Robert DeLaunay was the younger brother and pupil of Nicholas DeLaunay (1739-1792), one of the leading engravers of the French School of the eighteenth century. Initially Robert followed his brother into the graceful engraved art of the 'estampe gallant' but changing political and social times (most notably the French Revolution) led him to other genres of engraving such as historical prints and portraits. Robert DeLaunay was a constant exhibitor at the Paris Salon from 1791 to 1812. He also received the appointment of 'Engraver to the Galleries of the Pallais Royale.
	That Robert DeLaunay was commissioned to engrave The Death of General Wolfe seems somewhat mysterious. Benjamin West (1738-1820) was an American painter who achieved his greatest success in London and became the President of the Royal Academy. His heroic painting of Wolfe's death (1771) became one of the most famous works of art of the late eighteenth century. Five years later (in 1776) the great English engraver, William Woollett (1735-1785) created his most popular engraving based upon Benjamin West's painting.
	Robert DeLaunay engraved several other plates after the designs of Benjamin West, most notably a scene depicting William Penn's treaty with the Indians which was commissioned as a frontis piece for the Atlas Ameriquain Septentrionale, published in Paris around 1785. This large engraving of Wolfe's death, however, could not have been created for the French public. Why, after all, would a Paris publisher commission this heroic engraving depicting the death of the General responsible for ousting the French from their North American Colonies? In all probability the answer lies in the huge popularity of this image at that time. Robert DeLaunay's The Death of General Wolfe was probably meant for export to Britain to compete with William Woollett's engraving. Being of non-English origin, copyright laws would be ineffective and without commissions to pay (particularly to West) the engraving could be offered to a willing public at a less expensive price. Of course this is speculation on my part.
Size:	10 1/2 X 14 1/8 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Matted with 100% Archival Materials
Condition:	Printed on late eighteenth century wove paper and with margins cropped to within a centimeter of the engraving. The title has thus been eliminated from the lower margin. Also the engraving has been backed on the upper corners by a previous owner to a larger sheet of wove paper. Slight scraping appears in the outer edges and one rust spot is apparent within the image to the centre right, else a strong, finely printed impression and in good condition throughout. This original engraving entitled, The Death of General Wolfe represents a prime example of the art of Robert DeLaunay.
Price:	Sold - The price is no longer available.
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