Artist: James Basire FSA (1730–1802 London), also known as James Basire Sr., was a British engraver. He is the most significant of a family of engravers and noted for his apprenticing of the young William Blake. His father was Isaac Basire (1704–1768), a cartographer, his son (1769–1822) and grandson (1796–1869) were also named James; these four generations of Basire’s were all engravers. Their longevity produced overlapping careers, which has led to difficulties in attribution of some works.
First Plate - Title: Field of the Cloth of Gold.
Considered a major piece, this copperplate for Field of the Cloth of Gold, has been described as ‘an exquisitely detailed translation of a watercolour by Edward Edwards’. The image contained so much detail that the printmaker, James Whatman, invented techniques, and equipment to fit the image on one sheet to produce the largest single copperplate engraving at the time of its publication. Published in 1774, it depicts the meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I, known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold, which took place between 7 to 24 June 1520 in a valley subsequently called the Val d’Or, near Guines to the south of Calais. The event derived its name from the sumptuousness of the materials used for the tents, pavilions, and other furnishings. It was a spectacle of the greatest magnificence and the several artists responsible for this painting have made a fairly accurate visual summary of the various festivities that took place during the meeting of the two kings.
Second Plate -Title: The Embarkation of King Henry VIII at Dover, May XXXI st., MDXX.
One of a suite of two 18th century engravings prints published in 1781, this oversize historical print is based on a work by Samuel Hieronymus Grimm (1733 - 1794). The original oil painting can be viewed now in Hampton Court Palace, in the Haunted Gallery, and shows Henry VIII and his fleet setting sail from Dover to Calais on 31 May 1520 on the way to meet Francis I at The Field of Cloth of Gold. Henry VIII is shown standing on one of the vessels with golden sails in the background. The lack of artistic proportion in depicting the size of the ships may be an intentional device to convey the impressive nature of this journey and the overwhelming magnificence of the English court. Dover castle is depicted in the upper left-hand corner, and two round gun towers in the foreground fire salutes. Museum framed and mounted. Purchased from a private collection in the United States.
Work by Basire is held in museums and galleries around the world, including the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Christchurch Art Gallery, New Zealand, the National Library of Australia in Canberra, and the National Portrait Gallery, London.
