Discovering Lewes

[poliphilo]

I'd always thought Lewes High Street terminated at the bottom of the hill, but yesterday we found it actually crosses the river and carries on all the way to Cliffe- and there are some cracking antique emporiums down the far end. Ailz bought rings and I bought prints by Hogarth. Hogarth's prints aren't rare; his plates passed from hand to hand and some of them continued to be used right through the 19th century. It takes an expert- and even they aren't always sure- to tell an early impression from a late one. Never mind; I got four prints by one of the greatest 18th century artists for £12 apiece and I'm immensely chuffed. They're from the series Industry and Idleness- and include the much reproduced image of a public hanging.

St Thomas Becket church at Cliffe contains this- the coat of arms of Elizabeth I in plaster- dated 1598. It's a rare survival- and I can't say I've seen its like before.  I love the wonky lion.

Comments

[cmcmck]

That's good value for Hogarth!

[poliphilo]

I reckon Hogarth is a hard sell. People don't want to put black and white prints on their walls- and especially not prints of 18th century low life.

I'm an inveterate collector of old prints. They come cheap- and it's a way of acquiring "original" work by major artists. I have a Landseer, a Wilkie, a Clarkson Stanfield and two Turners. I used to have a Burne-Jones but I passed it on to my daughter.

[cmcmck]

Most of our print collection is B&W because that's what we like.

[oakmouse]

Lewes is such a delightful town! I love the lion --- he looks like he's singing.

Congrats on the Hogarth prints!

[poliphilo]

He's a dandy lion.