Owen MacSwinny (or Swinny)
(1676-1754), Playwright and art dealerEarly Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 8 portraits
Impresario and playwright, born in Ireland. MacSwinny became manager of the Queen's Theatre, Haymarket in 1706, alternating later, due to quarrels, between this theatre and Drury Lane. He was made bankrupt in 1711 and escaped abroad, working in a customs house. He returned after twenty years to promote a scheme, backed by Lord March (afterwards the Duke of Richmond), for painting imaginary 'monuments' dedicated to contemporary personalities. He left his fortune to Mrs Woffington.
after Peter van Bleeck
oil on canvas, probably 18th century, based on a work of 1737
NPG 1417
by Peter van Bleeck
mezzotint, 1749 (1737)
NPG D5204
by John Faber Jr, after Jean Baptiste van Loo
mezzotint, 1752
NPG D40788
by John Faber Jr, after Jean Baptiste van Loo
mezzotint, 1752
NPG D5202
by John Faber Jr, after Jean Baptiste van Loo
mezzotint, 1752
NPG D5203
by Robert Bowyer Parkes, after Jean Baptiste van Loo
mezzotint, published 1889 (1738)
NPG D4342
by and published by John Faber Jr, after Jean Baptiste van Loo
mezzotint, 1752
NPG D20403
by Robert Bowyer Parkes, after Jean Baptiste van Loo
mezzotint, published 1889 (1738)
NPG D4343
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