James Ward (1769-1859) According to a Painting by George Morland (1763-1804), FISHERMEN /FRIEND/, 1793

mezzotint/paper, 45 x 55 cm
below composition in center, title and publishing address: N.˚ 2 FISHERMEN / London Published Nov.r 1. 1793 by I. R. Smith King Street, Covent Garden; left: Painted by G. Morland; right: Engraved by J. Ward, Painter & Engraver in Mezzotinto to the Prince of Wales
state of preservation good

George Morland began his artistic career early and presented his drawings at the Royal Academy at the age of ten. As a teenager he studied under his father Henry Robert Morland. He copied and imitated Dutch paintings and paintings by Claude Joseph Vernet (1714-1789). He created many seascapes that betray these inspirations. This is also evidenced by the presented engraving, whose composition and mood are in the style of Vernet.