FISHER, Jonathan. View on the River Slaney at Clahamon, Co. Wexford. Drawn and Engraved in Aquatinta, by Jonathan Fisher. Original hand-colouring. 400 x 260mm.

Published by Jonathan Fisher, March, 1794. In cream mount with backing board. In fine condition. Exceedingly rare.
Jonathan Fisher (c.1740-1809) born in Dublin, was originally a woollen-draper in the Liberties, but took to the practice of art, in which he is said to have been self-taught. But as he appears to have visited England in early life he may have received instruction in London. He is first heard of in 1763, living in Dame Street, when he was awarded a premium for landscape by the Dublin Society. Around this time he moved to Great Ship Street, where he continued to reside until near the end of his life. He was certainly one of the more interesting landscape painters in late eighteenth century Ireland. He sent several pictures to the first exhibition of the Society of Artists, held in George’s Lane in 1765, and was a regular contributor to the various exhibitions down to 1801. In 1768 he gained another premium given by the Dublin Society for the best landscape. He was befriended and patronized by John, first Earl of Portarlington, himself an excellent landscape draughtsman and an amateur of the arts, who generally stayed in Fisher’s house in Ship Street when in Dublin. From about 1778 until his death he held the post of Supervisor of Stamps in the Stamp Office in Eustace Street. Fisher’s works were views of actual scenery, and not the classical compositions which at that time were very popular. He achieved great success through his several series of engraved views, by which only he is now remembered. In 1792 Fisher commenced the issue of a series of views of scenery in Ireland aquatinted by himself, containing sixty views at the price of a half a guinea (for six).

[A3 Plastic Folder No 3 Under Stairs]