The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

September 21, 2014

September 21, 1728

We are not certain about the birth date of Francis Place, but this English artist died September 21, 1728. The baroque era engraver was born in 1647 to people of means in the north of England. He learned the skills of that trade from Wenzel Hollar, a famous engraver who like Place, started in the study of law, but switched to something closer to his heart. Here is a sample of the work of Francis Place.

Battle between the Eagle & Cat is part of the Beasts show at CUAG.



Though it is difficult to imagine this was drawn from life, the detail is rather amazing. 


After the plague made London dangerous, Place returned to York and spent the rest of his life centered on his childhood environs. He was part of a circle there, of artists and antiquaries. Below is his home, which still exists, though before Place and his family lived there, it had been part of an abbey, and now, it is part of a university complex. 



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