John Smith - 1684 Mezzotint If the Light Mother on the Sea did Floate

Description

John Smith - Original 1684 Mezzotint. After Balthazar Van Lemens sold by Alex Brown. Mounted. A variation of Botticelli's Venus. John Smith had to work during the 1680s, early in his career, for other publishers. He made seven plates for Alexander Browne, four portraits and three after old master paintings. If the Light Mother on the Sea did floate, The Lighter Son may make a Shell his Boate. Mezzotint John Smith after Balthasar Van Lemens Sold by Alex Brown at ye blew balcony in little queen Street. c.1684. Image 246 x 163 mm, Sheet 267 x 166 mm mounted Wessely 349, i/ii, Blackett-Ord & Turner B.60, Chaloner Smith described Ex. Col.: Hon. Christopher Lennox-Boyd. Signed in plate. On laid. In fine condition.

John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver. A pioneer of the mezzotint process. Born in Northampton, he moved to London to become a printer's apprentice. He turned his attention to mezzotint engraving and became the pupil of Jan Van der Vaart. In the first nine years of his career Smith worked for five publishers: Richard Palmer, Edward Cooper, Alexander Browne, Pierce Tempest and Isaac Beckett. He began publishing for himself in 1687, and from 1692 worked only for himself. When Beckett died in 1688 Smith inherited his position as chief engraver to Godfrey Kneller. He engraved over a hundred plates after Kneller's portraits, giving him access to prominent members of society who became customers.

Size

26.8 x 16.5cm (10.6" x 6.5")

Collection Information

From the Christopher Lennox-Boyd collection. We recently acquired a number of fine Mezzotints previously owned by Chris Lennox-Boyd, owner of the finest collection of British Mezzotints in private hands. You can read more about him here.

You can see our full collection of Christopher Lennox-Boyd here.

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