Stubbs, George | A landmark work in the study of equine anatomy

Property from the Library of John M. Schiff

Stubbs, George

The Anatomy of the Horse. London: J. Purser, 1766 [but plates later]

Oblong folio (500 x 615 mm). 24 etched plates on wove paper, the often lacking errata pasted to blank endpaper; some toning and title softly creased. Half calf and gray boards to style, morocco label to upper cover. Cloth folding box.

First edition, later issue

Stubbs executed the drawings over the course of eighteen months, keeping each carcass in his studio for as long as six or seven weeks. Unable to find an engraver, he taught himself to etch in order to complete the work over six years. The experience gained from this ambitious project (the first of its kind on the horse since the 16th century) is partly responsible for his later transformation into the legendary animal painter for which he is best known.

Originally published in 1766, the work's enduring popularity saw it being issued well into the 19th century. As plates were printed on demand, watermark dates from 1798 to 1827 are known. The present plates are not dated, but on wove paper, which indicates a later issue.

REFERENCE:

Garrison and Morton 308.1; Nissen ZBI 4027