James Scott, English (1809 - 1891)

One of the finest engravers of the mid and late nineteenth century, James Scott was equally talented in the fields of portraiture, historical, sporting and genre subjects. He was highly regarded both for his mezzotints and mixed method engravings.

Scott fashioned a long and distinguished career. He first gained national recognition for his portrait of the Duke of Wellington published in 1837. During the next fifty years he engraved large designs after the works of such contemporary painters as Daniel Maclise, Landseer and George Henry Boughton. Boughton (1833 - 1905) was one of the most successful genre painters of the late nineteenth century.

A Gallant Act was commissioned by the New York Publisher, Knoedler. Knoedler was America's most successful publisher of original engravings and often acted in partnership with Paris and London publishers. A Gallant Act is one of Scott's largest and most highly regarded engravings.