 |
|
|
|
|
SMITH, John after G. KNELLER
Richard Lord Clifford and Lady Jane his Sister
London: Published by John Smith at the Lyon & Crown in Russell Street, Covent Garden, circa 1704. Mezzotint. State i/i with the published engraved inscription. In good condition apart from some overall light foxing. Image size: 15 3/8 x 9 15/16 inches. Plate mark: 16 1/16 x 9 7/8 inches. Sheet size: 16 3/4 x 10 3/4 inches.
A delightful portrait of two young children by the eminent English painter, Sir Godfrey Kneller.
Sir Godfrey Kneller is considered one to be of the most famous portrait painters of his day; his elegant style of painting influenced English portraiture forever, and set a precedent for artists such as Reynolds and Lawrence. Although originally from Germany, Kneller studied under Ferdinand Bol in Rembrandt's studio in Amsterdam. After traveling extensively in Europe Kneller settled in England where he received the patronage of three different English monarchs from Charles II to George I. Amongst Kneller's most famous works are a series of ten captivating portraits of prominent court ladies, which came to be known as the "Ten Beauties of the Court." In 1702 Kneller was commissioned to paint a series of forty-three portraits of the celebrities of the Kit-Kat club, a series that is still considered a national treasure. Kneller's beautiful and dignified paintings shaped the art of portraiture in England and established him as an artist for his time. The commercial pairing of John Smith the mezzotint engraver and Godfrey Kneller was born out of a mutual admiration and close friendship. With his remarkable talent and industrious nature, Smith quickly became Kneller's favorite engraver, and even resided with him for a time in London. Throughout his career Smith engraved a vast quantity of Kneller's portraits, thus distributing Kneller's images to a broader public and increasing his renown.
Chaloner Smith, British Mezzotinto Portraits 53, i/i; O'Donoghue, Catalogue of Engraved British Portraits...in the British Museum 1; Lennox-Boyd & Stogdon, state i/i..
|
#7297 $600.00 
|
© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
