William Barrett, Socrates Memento Mori Cartouche Design, 1750, Watercolour

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An original 1750 watercolour painting, William Barrett, Socrates Memento Mori Cartouche Design.This unusual cartouche design, dated 1750, is by the … Read more An original 1750 watercolour painting, William Barrett, Socrates Memento Mori Cartouche Design.This unusual cartouche design, dated 1750, is by the English antiquary and surgeon William Barrett (1733–1789). The image meditates elegantly on the theme of Memento Mori—with the Greek philosopher Socrates in the centre surrounded by two skeletons amidst a decorative rococo cartouche. The skeletons function as a reminder of our own mortality, a timeless subject addressed by artists and traceable back to Socrates and his belief in the importance of contemplating one's own death. The composition is also a sumptuous example of fluid and scrolling rococo design, with a touch of the grotesque.Barrett is best known for his book 'The History and Antiquities of the City of Bristol', 1789, which he illustrated with copper-plate engravings and opens with a cartouche design similar in style to the present drawing.In grisaille wash on laid paper. Laid down on backing paper.All artworks come with a Certificate of Authenticity and—if it is a collection artwork—its accompanying collection text or artist biography. Signed: Signed lower centre. Dated: Dated lower centre. Height: 9.6cm (3.8″) Width: 14.9cm (5.9″) Condition: Minor age toning as shown. There are historic hinging tape remnants to the upper corners on the verso, from previous mounting. Presented: Unframed. See less