Sleeping Monsters

1780

John Hamilton Mortimer

Associated Names
John Hamilton Mortimer

Artist, British, 1740 - 1779

This is a drawing of fantastical creatures sleeping by the water. The drawing depicts a cluster of monstrous beings resting at the edge of a body of water. The creatures have a hybrid appearance with features resembling both humans and animals, including horns and scales. The detailed line work captures the texture of their skin and the ripples in the water. The surrounding landscape includes water, grass, and skeletal remains on the ground.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on pale blue-green paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Thomas Vogler in memory of his brother Donald J. Vogler

  • Dimensions

    plate: 16.9 × 23.5 cm (6 5/8 × 9 1/4 in.)
    sheet: 22.2 × 29.5 cm (8 3/4 × 11 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2017.53.74

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Sunderland 1986, no. 184a

  • Series Title

    Twelve Etchings

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(William Weston Gallery, London, 28 February 1985); Donald Vogler, Portland, OR; gift to NGA, 2017.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1986

  • Sunderland, John. "John Hamilton Mortimer: His Life and Works," Walpole Society 52 (1986): no. 184a.

Inscriptions

lower center in plate: SLEEPING MONSTERS. / Published as the Act directs Jan. 25, 1780 by J. Mortimer, Norfolk Street, Strand; lower right in plate: I. Mortimer Del et Sculp.

Wikidata ID

Q77259483

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