| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | George Vertue after Sir Godfrey Kneller |
| Published | [1718] |
| Dimensions | Image and sheet 333 x 194 mm |
| Notes |
Bust portrait of George I as king, shown wearing a wig, mantle, and a garter collar with George. The portrait is set within a decorated oval, and surmounts an inscribed pedestal. Resting upon the pedestal is a decorated helmet, sceptre, sword, and orb. George Vertue (1684-1756) was an antiquary and engraver. He was born in the parish of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Vertue was apprenticed to a silver engraver and later to the Flemish engraver Michael Vandergucht. His early work included plates after Kneller, whose academy he attended from 1711. Vertue had a deep interest in antiquarian research, and much of his work was devoted to the subject. He also served as the official engraver to the Society of Antiquaries (1717-56). From 1713 onwards, Vertue dedicated his research to the details of the history of British art, which resulted in an extensive collection of notebooks now in the British Library. The contents of these notebooks were the basis of Horace Walpole's 1762 'Anecdotes of Painting'. There are approximately five hundred portraits attributed to Vertue, and an equivalent number of published plates devoted to antiquarian subjects. Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1st Baronet (1646 – 1723) was the leading portrait painter in England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and was court painter to British monarchs from Charles II to George I. His major works include The Chinese Convert (1687); a series of four portraits of Isaac Newton painted at various junctures of the latter's life; a series of ten reigning European monarchs, including King Louis XIV of France; over 40 "Kit-cat portraits" of members of the Kit-Cat Club; and ten "beauties" of the court of William III, to match a similar series of ten beauties of the court of Charles II painted by his predecessor as court painter, Sir Peter Lely. Ex. Col.: Earl de Grey Condition: Trimmed within plate, and tipped to album page. Some creasing across, and some light discolouration from glue on verso. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £60.00 |
| Stock ID | 41063 |