| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Jacabus Houbraken after Sir Godfrey Kneller. |
| Published | Published by J & P Knapton, London. 1739. |
| Dimensions | Image 360 x 222 mm, Plate 380 x 240 mm |
| Notes |
A bust length portrait of William Russel, Lord Russel turned to right but facing the viewer, wearing a long wig, lace neckerchief, and dark draped coat, all in an architectural oval with a putto, holding a hat on a stick and looking at the sitter's decapitated head next to an axe. This portrait of William Russel 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. William Russel, Lord Russel (September 29, 1639 - July 21 1683) British politician who was beheaded for his part in the Rye House plot to depose Charles II. 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 Huell 62, O'Donoghue 6 Condition: Excellent with full margins |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £60.00 |
| Stock ID | 45284 |