| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Jacobus Houbraken after Sir Godfrey Kneller |
| Published | Impensis J. & P. Knapton Londini, 1743. [1743-1752] |
| Dimensions | Image 358 x 227 mm, Plate 375 x 240 mm, Sheet 495 x 340 |
| Notes |
A bust length portrait of John Dryden in profile to right but looking at the viewer, in an oval with fabric draped around it , books, a mask, and a lyre below. Inscription below title reads: 'From the Collection of the late Earl of Oxford.' This portrait of Dryden is from Thomas Birch's The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain. The portraits featured in the series, which were engraved by Jacob Houbraken and George Vertue, were originally issued from 1737 onwards in portfolios of four portraits. Between 1743 and 1752, the series was published by John and Paul Knapton in London in the form of Birch's The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain, and contained biographies alongside the portraits. The number of plates included varied from edition to edition. Although the majority contained 108 plates, some editions contained as many as 120. Houbraken was responsible for producing a large proportion of the portraits, with Vertue only engraving around seven. The ornamental surroundings featured on the plates were engraved prior to the portraits, and were done so by Hubert-François Gravelot. John Dryden (August 1631- May 1700) English literary critic, translator, poet, and playwright who was made England's first Poet Laureate in 1668. Jacob, or Jacobus, Houbraken (1698-1780) was a Dutch portrait engraver, and dealer and collector of Rembrandt's etchings. Born in Dordrecht, he was the son of the artist Arnold Houbraken. In 1707 he moved to Amsterdam, where he assisted his father on a book of the lives of the Dutch Golden Age artists, entitled De Groote Schouburgh der Nederlantsche konstschilders en schilderessen (1718-1721). Between 1743 and 1752, Houbraken worked with George Vertue on Thomas Birch's Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain. He also engraved the portraits for Jan van Gool's Nieuwe schouburg der Nederlantsche kunstschilders (1750-51). Between 1752 and 1759, he worked on Jan Wagenaar's Vaderlandsche historie, which was published by Isaac Tirion. Sir Godfrey Kneller, (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. Ver Heull 100, O'Donoghue 12 Condition: Excellent impression with good full margins, slight creasing to edges. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £120.00 |
| Stock ID | 44737 |