J.M.W. Turner. Isis the great mother goddess of ancient Egypt.

J.M.W. Turner. 1775-1851.

Isis [the great mother goddess of ancient Egypt]. c. 1810-15. Drawn and etched by J.M.W Turner. Engraved(mezzotinted) by W. Say (William Say. 1768-1832). Published by J.M.W. Turner, 1 January 1819. Etching and mezzotint. Finberg 68.v/v. Series: Liber Studiorum Part XIV. Image: 7 x 10 3/8; plate: 8 x 11 3/8; sheet 11 1/4 x 17. A fine impression printed in black/brown ink, on cream wove paper with full margins and deckle edges on two sides. This is an impression that J.M.W.Turner retained for his private collection and that was auctioned by his executors in 1873. All impressions included in this sale bore the Turner Sale Blindstamp, found in the lower center of the plate. Signed with the artist's and mezzotinter's names in the plate. $750.

An example of Turner's 'Elevated Pastoral' or 'Epic Pastoral' or 'Elevated Pastoral' subject classification, as denoted by the letters 'E P' above the image.

"Turner's Liber Studiorum composition is based on his painting, traditionally known as The Thames at Weybridge, of circa 1805-6 (Tate, T03872, displayed at Petworth House, West Sussex),1 then in the collection of his patron Lord Egremont - as indicated by the lettering of the published print. The Weybridge identification of the painting is longstanding, but the composition is based on elements of the landscape some miles to the north-east, along the Thames at Isleworth where Turner lived at Syon Ferry House in 1805. Around Oxford, the Thames is locally known as the Isis (derived from an ancient form of its name 'Tamesis'), and it may be this resonance of earlier times that Turner wished to impart."

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