Hebe with Zeus as an Eagle.

After François Huet Villiers, by H. Meyer. Hebe. "Hebe." London Engraved by H. Meyer, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury. // Pub.d with permission Aug.t 17, 1814 by S. Knight, Sweeting's Alley, Royal Exchange.' 1814
Sepia mezzotint after the drawing of François Huet Villiers, of Hebe with Zeus in the form of an eagle.
The goddess shown as a young woman, half-length in clouds, directed to left wearing a gauzy veil and a necklace, one arm around the neck of Jupiter in the guise of an eagle with a thunderbolt, holding out a cup for him; within a border of etched lines.
The print appears to have first been printed by Colnagi in 1811, but was so popular that Villiers allowed other editions. Our copy lacks the publishers imprint but appears to be a version published by S Knight in 1814. [ see the British Museum number:2010,7081.7222 where the lettering states: 'From the Original Drawing in the possession of J,, Harper Esq.r // Drawn by Huet Villiers, Miniature Painter to their Royal Highnesses the Duke & Duchess of York. // Engraved by H. Meyer, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury. // Pub.d with permission Aug.t 17, 1814 by S. Knight, Sweeting's Alley, Royal Exchange.']

Hebe was the goddess of youth, daughter of Zeus and Hera. She served nectar and ambrosia to the Olympians. Clean and bright; margins approx. 8 mm outside plate mark.

François Huet Villiers 1772 - 1813)
painter, was the son of Jean-Baptiste Huet, a French artist of repute, was born in Paris about 1772, and studied under his father. He exhibited portraits at the Paris salon in 1799, 1800, and 1801, and then settled in London. He was a versatile artist, drawing landscapes, animals, and architecture, but excelled in his portraits in miniature and oils. He was appointed miniature-painter to the Duke and Duchess of York, his portraits of whom were engraved, as were also those of Louis XVIII, the Duke and Duchess of Angoulême, the Duc d'Enghien, and Mrs. Quentin.
Villiers painted many actresses and other ladies in mythological characters, and his 'Hebe' was very popular and frequently engraved. He exhibited largely at the Royal Academy and other exhibitions from 1803 until his death, and was one of the 'Associated Artists in Watercolours' from 1808 to 1812. He published two sets of etchings—'Rudiments of Cattle,' 1805, and 'Rudiments and Characters of Trees,' 1806—and made the drawings for some of the plates in Ackermann's 'Westminster Abbey.' Villiers died in Great Marlborough Street, London, on 27 July 1813, and was buried in St. Pancras churchyard.

S. Knight
(publisher/printer; active:1805 - 1841; )

Henry Meyer 1780 - 1847
Painter and printmaker; pupil of Francesco Bartolozzi. 1821-26, exhibited at the Royal Academy; 1823, founder member of the Society of British Artists; 1827.
British Museum no:2010,7081.7222. 520 by 380mm (20½ by 15 inches).   ref: 2675  €850