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1779 Revolutionary War Mezzotint Engraving of JOHN PAUL JONES, Commander ...

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
1779 Revolutionary War Mezzotint Engraving of JOHN PAUL JONES, Commander ...
American Revolution
Impressive 1779-Dated Revolutionary War Mezzotint Engraving titled “JOHN PAUL JONES, Commander of a Squadron in the Service of the Thirteen United States of North America, 1779.”
1779-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Mezzotint Engraving, “John Paul Jones” (1747-1792), Attributed to, Richard Brookshaw, (British, 1736 - about 1804), with 3/4 length Portrait of Captain John Paul Jones Standing, overseeing a Naval battle, Framed, Choice Extremely Fine.
Excellent rich contrast and print quality Mezzotint Engraving measures about 10.25” x 14.25” (by sight), handsomely professionally framed to 11.75” x 16” and viewed through special UV Plexiglas. The text below image reads, in full: “John Paul Jones, Commander of a Squadron in the Service of the Thirteen United States of North America, 1779.” Image shows Jones three quarter length pose holding a spyglass in one hand. Naval battle and cliffs in background. This print depicts the American naval hero John Paul Jones (1747-1792), so-called “Father of the American Navy”. During the late eighteenth century, naval portraits followed a compositional formula, in which the sitter’s greatest Victory was depicted in the background. Here, Paul Jones’s victory over the British frigate Serapis can be seen in the distance to the right. As his own warship, Bonhomme Richard, began to sink, Captain Jones was asked to surrender. Jones reportedly answered the British captain with the now famous words, “I have not yet begun to fight,” and secured a decisive victory for the American Navy. This extremely popular print is usually only available to view in museums, this an excellent opportunity being one of the finest quality we have seen and in private hands.