Tragedy, from "Fifteen Etchings Dedicated to Sir Joshua Reynolds" 1778

John Hamilton Mortimer created this etching, "Tragedy", around 1778, as part of a series dedicated to Sir Joshua Reynolds. Mortimer invokes the classical past through the figure's attire, stage-like setting, and tragic subject matter, referencing a tradition deeply embedded in Western art. But this wasn't simply a detached exercise in historical style. The late 18th century saw a burgeoning interest in the sublime and the dramatic, reflecting the turbulent social and political climate of the time. Consider the American Revolution or the rumblings of discontent in France that would lead to their own revolution. The print also speaks to the institutional context of art at the time. Dedicated to Reynolds, then president of the Royal Academy, it acknowledges the importance of artistic institutions in shaping taste and legitimizing artistic careers. Studying the artistic networks and patronage systems of the time helps us to understand how artists like Mortimer navigated the complex social landscape of 18th-century Britain. By delving into these histories, we can appreciate how the art of the past was deeply entwined with the issues of its own time.