| Method | Mezzotint |
| Artist | James McArdell after Sir Joshua Reynolds |
| Published | Published according to Act of Parliamt. 1756, & sold at the Golden Head in Covent Garden |
| Dimensions | Image 268 x 226 mm, Plate 325 x 226 mm, Sheet 337 x 246 mm |
| Notes |
A half-length portrait of Catherine Chambers. The portrait shows Catherine standing, with her face partially shaded by the large, flat hat she wears upon her head. Around her neck, she wears a ribbon, and over her low-cut dress she wears a mantle. Catherine Chambers (née Moore) (died 1798) was the wife of the architect Sir William Chambers, responsible for refashioning Buckingham Palace (1762–73) and he built the queen's lodge (1776) and the lower lodge (1779) at Windsor Castle. They were married in 1752. James McArdell (1729 – 1765) was a mezzotinter. He was born in Dublin, and studied under Brooks. He travelled to London with Brooks c. 1746. McArdell is regarded as the outstanding mezzotinter of the so-called Dublin school, concentrating mostly on portraits. He is believed to have been Reynolds favourite engraver. He published his own plates, most of which were purchased after his death by Robert Sayer. Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) was one of the most important figures of the eighteenth century art world. He was the first President of the Royal Academy and Britain's leading portrait painter. Through a series of lectures on the Discourses on Art at the Royal Academy he defined the style later known as the Grand Manner, an idealised Classical aesthetic. He had a profound impact on the theory and practice of art and helped to raise the status of portrait painting into the realm of fine art. A flamboyant socialite, Reynolds used his social contacts to promote himself and advance his career becoming one of the most prominent portrait painters of the period. Chaloner Smith 40 ii/ii, Goodwin 54 ii/ii, Hamilton 90 ii/ii, O'Donoghue 1, NPG D2040 Condition: Trimmed to plate on lower margin, 7mm margin to top and sides, some small tears to right and upper margin. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £350.00 |
| Stock ID | 46760 |