A Scene in an Historical Play exhibited on the Chinese Stage

Location

Country: China
City: Beijing
Place: British Embassy

William Alexander was born in Maidstone, Kent; the son of a coachbuilder. He entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1784 and may have trained under watercolourist Julius Caesar Ibbetson. He travelled to China as Junior Draughtsman in Lord Macartney's embassy of 1792 to 1794 and his drawings of the expedition were later engraved. In 1802 he became the first Master of Landscape Drawing at the Royal Military College in Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire. He held an interest in medieval architecture and travelled throughout Britain, drawing churches and monuments. His drawings of Egyptian antiquities in the British Museum were engraved and published between 1805 and 1807. In 1808, he was appointed the Museum’s Assistant Keeper of Prints and Drawings.
James Heath was born in London; the son of a bookbinder. In 1771 he was apprenticed to engraver J. Collyer the younger. He became a leading engraver in line, stipple and etching. He produced 100 prints after designs by T. Stothard for ‘Novelist’s Magazine’ and numerous works after contemporary artists, including R. Westall and R. Smirke. He also engraved plates for J. Boyell’s Shakespeare Gallery and for his own volumes of Shakespeare’s work. His son George became a serjeant-at-law, while Charles was also an engraver. In 1791 Heath became an associate of the Royal Academy. He was appointed Historical Engraver to George III in 1794 and served as such under successive monarchs. He amassed a considerable fortune before dying in London aged 77.

Places

Far East, China

Subjects

lantern, trumpet, stringed instrument, musician, theatre, stage, actor/actress, topography, genre, Chinese, boy, man, woman, 18th century costume, parasol, diplomatic meetings & state visits, house, table (as Subject)

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

William Alexander (1767 - 1816)
James Heath (1757 - 1834)

Title

A Scene in an Historical Play exhibited on the Chinese Stage

Date

published 12 April 1796

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Sotheby's, 29 May 1996

GAC number

16974