John Baptist Jackson

John Baptist Jackson, with the subtitle 18th-Century Master of the Color Woodcut, is a work by Jacob Kainen, who is listed as curator of graphic arts. The text mentions a set of Jackson’s Venetian chiaroscuros, originally owned by Jackson’s patron, Joseph Smith, British Consul in Venice. The text quotes a claim that Mr. Jackson has invented ten positive Tints in Chiaro Oscuro, whereas Hugo di Carpi knew but four, all of which can be taken off by four Impressions only.

The text says the introduction of full color from a series of blocks to translate water colors is also mentioned in the Essay, but with no greater emphasis than in the Enquiry. The text finds it astonishing that Jackson failed to make stronger claims, since his wallpaper was to be done in color as well as in chiaroscuro and since the Essay included four plates in color. A reference entry for Wick, Peter A. calls the work on a Suite of Six Color Woodcuts of Heroic Landscapes by John Baptist Jackson after Marco Ricci the first good, scholarly study of the Ricci prints.