Mad About Mezzotint

The catalogue accompanies an exhibition celebrating the bicentenary of the 60-year reign of King George III. It presents one mezzotint portrait for each year of his reign. Mad about Mezzotint traces the history of mezzotint in the reign of King George III by looking at three aspects of the art form: the astonishing method of mezzotint, the absorbing history of the form in the late 18th century and Regency period and the endless fascination with London as a subject. Although the mezzotint originated in Germany as early as 1642, its golden age came in England in the 18th century. Crowds marvelled at the new technique and seized upon the opportunity to popularise their work and disseminate their images more widely. England had a new king and queen on the throne, an expanding court and flourishing commercial interests.