Title

[Portrait of Michael Massey Robinson. Plate 1]

Date made

29 March 1821

Place made

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia View on map Close map

Category

Print

Print type

intaglio

Technique

engraving, printed in black ink, from one copper plate

Support

paper

Production notes

Portrait of Michael Massey Robinson.

It is possible that there are two separate engraved images of Michael Massey Robinson. Both were engraved after a portrait by Richard Reid senior. The first was produced by an unnamed engraver but could have been John Austin, Samuel Clayton or perhaps Joseph Lycett. Newspaper reports of March 1822 note that there were initial problems with materials but that the plate was at a ‘state of forwardness’. This service of this initial engraver was terminated in mid-1822. It is not known if the plate was finished or if any impressions were printed.

The second plate was engraved by the artist himself. Richard Reid senior is not known as an engraver; however, he was convicted in England of possessing counterfeit bank notes, maybe these were engraved and printed by him – or perhaps facsimile notes drawn in pen and ink. This is not clear from the court repot. But he certainly must have had knowledge of the process to attempt such a commission.

The sequence of events are as follows. In December 1822 the Australian poet Michael Massey Robinson (1744-1826) announced that he was planning to publish the complete series of his Royal Birth-day Odes, encompassing the years 1810-1821, and some other unpublished poems. The volume, to be published in March 1822 if enough one-pound subscriptions were forthcoming, was to be a large 8vo in format, printed on first quality paper and handsomely half-bound in red or green leather. Significantly It was to have an engraved titlepage and an engraved portrait of the author, after a painting by Richard Reid senior. [SG 22.12.1821, p.2]

At the end of March 1822, the volume was not ready for publication, and the author explained.

‘THE Difficulty which the Artist, who undertook to engrave the Portrait for this Work, has met with in obtaining the Ingredients and Composition essential for this Purpose, will necessarily protract the Publication … The Plate is, however, now in a state of forwardness, and the Work will be ready for Delivery by the middle of May’. [SG 29.3.1821, p.2]

The mention of the want of materials is improbable, what were the materials that the engraver could not get? This was just a way of justifying the delay. The original engraver of the plate, had been relieved of his duties in July 1822 as he was unable to complete the work on time.

‘After having been disappointed by the first Artist who undertook to engrave the Portrait within a specific period, the Author was happy to avail himself of the offer of Mr. Reid, senior (the original Painter of the Portrait), to engrave it for this Work; and he has so far accomplished his task, that it will be completed in the course of this present month; and, when finished, will be found to have called forth the exertions of the Artist to a distinguished degree.’ [SG 12.7.1822, p.3]

But things did not go as well as the author hoped. It was not until seventeen months later that Robinson was able to announce that the plate was finished. But the printer was still awaiting the arrival of new type to arrive in the colony so the letterpress text would meet his expectations.

‘THE AUTHOR begs Leave to announce to his Subscribers, and the Public, that the Plate for this Work, which has been so long in hand on account of the protracted Illness of the Artist employed to engrave it, is at length finished; and that the New Types are expected by the Printer to arrive in the Course of the ensuing Month, and the Work to be completed and delivered in all February next;-and the Author ventures to hope, that the manner in which it will be executed will be an ample atonement for the delay that has unavoidably taken place.’ [SG 25.12.1823, p.3]

Nothing more his heard of the project and no impressions of either portrait is known

[Roger Butler, 2023]

Subject category

Portrait

Country of context

Australia

Last Updated

09 Sep 2023