Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg, German-born French artist, c 1800.

Engraving by H Meyer after a drawing by J Jackson. Born in Fulda, Germany, de Loutherbourg (1740-1812) studied in Strasbourg and Paris, before settling in London, where he was employed as artistic adviser at the Drury Lane Theatre from 1771-81. He was an innovative set designer and scene painter and helped to lay the foundations of pictorial illusion in stagecraft. After abandoning theatre in the 1780s, he became an important figure in British landscape painting, and was renowned for his rough landscapes. Published 20 February, 1813, by T Cadell & W Davies, Strand, London. Dimensions (overall): 280mm x 190mm.