William Wynne RYLAND
(1738 – London – 1783)
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Jupiter and Leda - 1758
After François Boucher.
Etching on laid paper. Proof before burin and all letters. Watermark: Double-headed eagle.
Size of sheet: 38.8 x 47.4 cm.
Jean-Richard 1535 (I/IV) ; Le Blanc 6 ; Portalis & Beraldi III, 2nd part, p.417 ; Ananoff 1742 (ill.fig.672, p.336); Joubert 1821 vol.III, p.32.
Comparative impressions: Louvre Museum – inv.no. 18990 LR/ Recto.
Extremely rare impression in its etched state before all letters, trimmed within platemark. Small oil spot in the top margin; otherwise in very fine condition.
It is after the painting exhibited at the Salon in 1742, now in the collection of the National Museum of Stockholm (inv. NM771).
William Wynne Ryland: Jupiter and Leda
Ryland stayed in Paris for around five years, studying drawing under François Boucher, and engraving under Jacques Philippe Le Bas. During his stay Ryland produced several engravings after Old Masters and Boucher. On returning to England, he lived in London and excelled in the trade of engraving, becoming an engraver to the king. However, after some risky business decisions he declared bankrupt in 1771. In 1783 he was found guilty of forgery and imprisoned. Several months later he was hanged at Tyburn leaving behind a wife and six children.