| Description | Copper plate line-engraving with faded red seal at the base embossed with 'Royal / Academy / London / 1768'.
Motto on scroll: 'LABOR ET INGENIUM'
Pedestal in central medallion: 'Royal acade / of arts / instituted / MDCCLXVIII'
Ink autograph of George III at the head of the main inscription, now barely legible.
Main inscription includes the name of William Owen Esquire in the appropriate space.
Bottom left: 'G.B. Cipriani invt. et delt.'
Bottom right: 'F. Bartollozzi Engraver to His Majesty sculpt.'
This print is an example of the Royal Academy Diploma as it was first engraved, on two separate plates joined at the centre after printing. Although William Owen did not become an Academian until 1806, the wording had not been altered from the first state of the print which also misspelt Bartolozzi's surname. |