Lot 608
AFTER ROBERT JOHN THORNTON (c.1768-1837) TEMPLE OF FLORA (from THE ROYAL BOTANIC LOTTERY) Four, coloured aquatints, comprising `Tulips` (by Dunkarton after Reinagle); `Group of Carnations` (by Maddox after Henderson); `The Narrow-leaved Kalmia` (Maddocks after Reinagle); and `A Group of Hyacinths` (by Gaugain after Edwards), published 1811-1812 Each 24 x 18cm approx. (4) * Thornton's ambitions with the first edition led to exorbitant production costs and overheads that the project could not regain. His plan with the `Lottery` edition was to offer all the original drawings for the work as a main prize, with lower-ranking prizes to include smaller portfolios and editions of the series. Misfortune befell Thornton yet again: the lottery was not a success and Thornton was bankrupted, though his legendary `Temple of Flora` remains a highly distinguished (if commercially flawed) printmaking folie de grandeur. Provenance: By descent in a family collection
