John Smeaton
(1724-1792), Civil engineerMid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 3 portraits
The first of the great engineers. He built harbours, bridges and lighthouses and made notable improvements in the design of water-wheels. He also undertook important experiments on the atmospheric steam-engine.
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Prof Robin Marshall FRS
24 August 2015, 20:28
The 3rd portrait you mention here, an engraving by Richard Woodman, is attributed to Mortimer and it even says so on the print. However, this is a mistake and the painter was Mather Brown. John Smeaton's close friend Alexr Aubert FRS donated the painting to the Royal Society in 1799, seven years after Smeaton's fatal accident. The Royal Society has the letter that accompanied the donation and in the letter is says that the painting is by Mather Brown.
Publisher Charles Knight was always under heavy pressure and he just made a mistake when he typeset the attribution of the original painter on the print.