John Smith (1652-1743), Engraver
Sitter in 4 portraits
Artist associated with 1178 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.
possibly published by John Smith
mezzotint, 17th century
NPG D11844
by William Vincent, possibly published by John Smith
mezzotint, 17th century
NPG D11889
by John Smith
mezzotint, late 17th century
NPG D26334
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
mezzotint, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D29484
by Edward Cooper, after Unknown artist, published by John Smith
mezzotint, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D30813
by Robert White, after John Riley, published by John Smith
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D30925
by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, late 17th century
NPG D31016
by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, late 17th century
NPG D31017
by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, late 17th century
NPG D31060
published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D27387
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 or Luttrell, published by John Smith, after John Greenhill
mezzotint, (circa 1672-1673)
NPG D11961
by Jan van der Vaart, published by John Smith, after William Wissing
mezzotint, circa 1674-1686
NPG D11949
by Isaac Beckett, after John Riley, published by John Smith
mezzotint, (circa 1680-1685)
NPG D30884
by Robert Williams, published by John Smith, after Michael Dahl
mezzotint, circa 1680-1704 (circa 1689-1695)
NPG D31216
by and published by John Smith, after John Riley
mezzotint, 1680
NPG D31334
by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after John Riley
mezzotint, (circa 1680-1685)
NPG D34055
by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Alessandro Turchi
mezzotint, circa 1680-4
NPG D11729
by Robert Robinson, published by John Smith, after Pietro da Cortona
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11732
Northamptonshire
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