Name: James Basire
Dates: 1730-1802
Map type: Copper plate engraved maps, town plans, portraits and battle plans, printed on handmade paper, found in numerous publications.
A London engraver of maps, portraits and battle plans, James Basire studied first under his father, Isaac and then completed his engraving apprenticeship under Richard Dalton, a noted artist, librarian and print dealer. Influenced by Dalton, Basire travelled to Rome to study the works of Raphael. On returning to London, he established a worthy reputation for both his engraved portraits and for architectural and antiquarian scenes. He engraved the portraits of such contemporary names as Captain Cook and Lady Stanhope as well as maps and graphics for various notable publications.
In 1760 Basire was appointed the official engraver to the newly formed Society of Antiquaries. In this capacity he created many valuable engravings of British monuments and edifices from the Middle-Ages to the Renaissance. In this capacity, he was also commissioned by the principal of the Society of Antiquaries, Richard Gough, to re-engrave some examples from his priceless map collection. This commission included what is thought to be the earliest map of the British Isles (now housed securely in the Bodleian Library, Oxford), an early representation of Hong Kong harbour and other such remarkable pieces published first in 1768 and then in the two volume entitled British Topography in 1780.
Basire continued with the Society until 1795. As a result of his fine art James Basire was appointed engraver to the Royal Society in 1770. He was also a well-respected teacher and was the engraving master of one of England's most famous artists and poets, William Blake.
Basire's remarkable contribution to the world of the finely decorated engraved print is simply unsurpassed.
In 1760 Basire was appointed the official engraver to the newly formed Society of Antiquaries. In this capacity he created many valuable engravings of British monuments and edifices from the Middle-Ages to the Renaissance. In this capacity, he was also commissioned by the principal of the Society of Antiquaries, Richard Gough, to re-engrave some examples from his priceless map collection. This commission included what is thought to be the earliest map of the British Isles (now housed securely in the Bodleian Library, Oxford), an early representation of Hong Kong harbour and other such remarkable pieces published first in 1768 and then in the two volume entitled British Topography in 1780.
Basire continued with the Society until 1795. As a result of his fine art James Basire was appointed engraver to the Royal Society in 1770. He was also a well-respected teacher and was the engraving master of one of England's most famous artists and poets, William Blake.
Basire's remarkable contribution to the world of the finely decorated engraved print is simply unsurpassed.