Wall decoration - Set van 2 ingelijste kleurendrukken – Francis Wheatley / Giovanni Vendramini – Cries of London, - Netherlands - 2 framed color prints

Set of 2 framed color prints – Francis Wheatley / Giovanni Vendramini – Cries of London, Plate 6 & 10 – after the 1795 edition

A particularly decorative and historically interesting pair from the famous Cries of London series after the English painter Francis Wheatley R.A. (1747–1801). Both scenes depict daily street life and disappearing trades in late 18th-century London.

The two works clearly belong together and are identical in format, presented in beautiful classical frames with a brown outer edge and silver-colored profiling. The soft, subdued colors, the yellowed paper, and the elegant typography give the whole a distinctly historic appearance.

The details:

Plate 6 – “Knives, Scissors and Razors to Grind”
A wandering knife-grinder is at work while two young women offer him tools. At the bottom is also the French title Couteaux, Ciseaux, Rasoirs à repasser.

Plate 10 – “Old Chairs to mend”
A chair upholsterer repairs a chair while two women stand with additional chairs; on the right, a dog completes the lively scene. The French title reads Vieilles chaises à rempailler.

Both compositions were originally painted by Wheatley and etched by the Italian-British engraver Giovanni Vendramini (1769–1839). The Metropolitan Museum of Art owns specimens of both Plate 6 and Plate 10 and dates both original colored stipple engravings to 1795, issued by the renowned London firm P. & D. Colnaghi & Co.

Wheatley’s Cries of London grew into one of his best-known series. The original paintings of London street vendors and tradesmen were exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1792 and 1795. The complete print series comprises thirteen scenes and was published by Colnaghi in the period 1793–1797.

Interesting detail about these copies

On these two sheets the image is captioned “Painted by F. Wheatley, R.A.” and “D’après G. Vendramini.” That wording is important for dating. There are known copies with exactly these inscriptions that are described as later color-prints after the original Vendramini prints. An identically described specimen of Plate 6 with the inscription D’après G. Vendramini was offered as a late-20th-century print.

Features
- Set of two related prints
- Series: Cries of London
- After paintings by Francis Wheatley R.A. (1747–1801)
- After engravings by Giovanni Vendramini (1769–1839)
- Original compositions published in London in 1795
- Probably early-20th-century color prints after the original engravings
- Plate 6: Knives, Scissors and Razors to Grind
- Plate 10: Old Chairs to Mend
- English and French titles under both images
- Framed in handsome matching classical frames
- Brown outer frame with silver-profiled inner work
- Lovely soft historic coloration
- Particularly attractive as a pair

Condition

Beautiful decorative vintage/antique condition with clear signs of age and use. The paper shows age-toning, foxing, and small stains consistent with its age. The colors have a finely subdued historic appearance.

The frames likewise show signs of wear and aging, including minor damage, scratches, discoloration, and loss of the silver finish. It is precisely this lived-in look that suits the historical scenes exceptionally well.

Usage marks visible in photos. The photos are an important part of the condition description.

A particularly atmospheric duo for the collector of English printmaking, old trades, and historic London cityscapes. As a pair, these two scenes also look outstanding in a classic, country, or English interior.

Dimensions
Height 48 cm
Width 38 cm
Depth 2.5 cm

Photos give a clear view of the quality and form part of the description. The interior photos were AI-generated and are for illustration of the object in a living environment only.

The lot will be well packed for shipping with tracking. The shipping cost includes packing materials and transport. Ships only within the postal EU. Pickup is possible only when the lot is worth more than €50 at auction and, of course, by appointment during business hours.

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