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John Smith

(1652-1743), Engraver

Sitter in 4 portraits
Artist associated with 1181 portraits
A pioneer of the mezzotint process. Born in Northampton, he moved to London to become a printer's apprentice. He turned his attention to mezzotint engraving and became the pupil of Jan Van der Vaart. In the first nine years of his career Smith worked for five publishers: Richard Palmer, Edward Cooper, Alexander Browne, Pierce Tempest and Isaac Beckett. He began publishing for himself in 1687, and from 1692 worked only for himself. When Beckett died in 1688, Smith inherited his position as chief engraver to Godfrey Kneller. He engraved over a hundred plates after Kneller's portraits, giving him access to prominent members of society; who became customers.

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Anthony Leigh, by and published by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG L269.B5.06

Anthony Leigh

by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1689
On display in Room 11 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L269.B5.06

Head, possibly published by John Smith - NPG D11844

Head

possibly published by John Smith
mezzotint, 17th century
NPG D11844

Flight into Egypt, by William Vincent, possibly published by  John Smith - NPG D11889

Flight into Egypt

by William Vincent, possibly published by John Smith
mezzotint, 17th century
NPG D11889

Henrietta Maria, by John Smith, published by  Edward Cooper, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D26412

Henrietta Maria

by John Smith, published by Edward Cooper, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, late 17th century
NPG D26412

John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter, by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D29484

John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter

by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D29484

Queen Anne when Princess, by Edward Cooper, after  Unknown artist, published by  John Smith - NPG D30813

Queen Anne when Princess

by Edward Cooper, after Unknown artist, published by John Smith
mezzotint, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D30813

Madam Baker, by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31016

Madam Baker

by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, late 17th century
NPG D31016

Madam Baker, by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31017

Madam Baker

by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, late 17th century
NPG D31017

King James II, by and published by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31060

King James II

by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, late 17th century
NPG D31060

Madam Knatchbull, published by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D27387

Madam Knatchbull

published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D27387

Madam Knatchbull, published by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D27388

Madam Knatchbull

published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D27388

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, by Edward Lutterell (Luttrell), published by  John Smith, after  John Greenhill - NPG D11961

Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury

by Edward Lutterell (Luttrell), published by John Smith, after John Greenhill
mezzotint, (circa 1672-1673)
NPG D11961

Thomas Killigrew, by Jan van der Vaart, published by  John Smith, after  Willem Wissing - NPG D11949

Thomas Killigrew

by Jan van der Vaart, published by John Smith, after Willem Wissing
mezzotint, circa 1674-1686
NPG D11949

Henry Compton, by Isaac Beckett, after  John Riley, published by  John Smith - NPG D30884

Henry Compton

by Isaac Beckett, after John Riley, published by John Smith
mezzotint, (circa 1680-1685)
NPG D30884

Greville Verney, by Robert Williams, published by  John Smith, after  Michael Dahl - NPG D31216

Greville Verney

by Robert Williams, published by John Smith, after Michael Dahl
mezzotint, circa 1680-1704 (circa 1689-1695)
NPG D31216

Henry Compton, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  John Riley - NPG D34055

Henry Compton

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after John Riley
mezzotint, (circa 1680-1685)
NPG D34055

Cupid and Psyche, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Alessandro Turchi - NPG D11729

Cupid and Psyche

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Alessandro Turchi
mezzotint, circa 1680-1684
NPG D11729

Diana resting near a fountain, by Robert Robinson, published by  John Smith, after  Pietro da Cortona - NPG D11732

Diana resting near a fountain

by Robert Robinson, published by John Smith, after Pietro da Cortona
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11732

Naked woman with head of a bear, possibly published by John Smith, after  Unknown artist - NPG D11734

Naked woman with head of a bear

possibly published by John Smith, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1680-1690
NPG D11734

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