Collections

Pilgrimage to Canterbury

Printer: unknownPublisher: Worthington, William HenryPrintmaker: Heath, James · 1757-1834Printmaker: Schiavonetti, Luigi · 1765-1810Primary artist: Stothard, Thomas RA

Pilgrimage to Canterbury

Schiavonetti's death in 1810 led to the etching of the plate being completed by Heath

Schiavonetti's death in 1810 led to the etching of the plate being completed by Heath

Heath completed the etching of the plate, presumably following Schiavonetti's death in 1810

Stothard's original oil painting was painted 1806-07 and was purchased by The Tate in 1884 (acc no. N01163).

The Tate in an accompanying label in 2004 provide the following background detail pertinent to the present etching;

"The engraver and publisher Robert Cromek commissioned this painting from Blake’s friend Stothard. Cromek put it on display and charged visitors a shilling to see it. He also collected subscriptions for the forthcoming print of the painting.

Blake claimed that Cromek had commissioned a painting of the Canterbury Pilgrims from him first, but Cromek had not liked the design and so took the commission to Stothard. Blake accused Cromek and, through him, Stothard of copying his long, frieze-like composition. It is unlikely that Blake’s accusations were well-founded, but the dispute effectively ended Blake and Stothard's friendship."

Worthington published this print on 1817-10-01 (vide impression in British Museum, acc no. 1836,1124.11)

The BM impression carries the following inscription; "Lettered with title, dedication to the Prince Regent by Elizabeth Cromek, and a numbered key to the persons depicted in English at left and French at right, with production detail: "Painted by Thomas Stothard Esqr. R.A.", "Etched by Lewis Schiavonetti, V.A. and finished by James Heath, A.R.A., Historical Engraver to His Majesty, and the H.R.H. the Prince Regent, &c." and publication line below arms: "London, Published Octr. 1, 1817, by W.H.Worthington, 15, Compton Street, Brunswick Square, for Eliz. Cromek."