John Brooks
(circa 1710-after 1756), Engraver and print publisherArtist associated with 35 portraits
John Brooks was born in Dublin and entered the Dublin Goldsmith's Corporation as a line engraver in 1736. He moved to London in 1740 where he learnt the mezzotint technique, returning to Dublin the following year. In Dublin he established himself as a mezzotint engraver and publisher, and was one of the key figures in Irish engraving of the time. In 1742, he advertised a series of large mezzotint portraits of contemporary figures, including William III, after Godfrey Kneller, and the Duke of Devonshire, after James Worsdale, for publication by subscription. Brooks moved permanently to London in 1746, where he concentrated on the process of transfer printing, a technique he probably invented.
Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
by John Brooks, after William Hoare
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D33065
Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
by John Brooks, after William Hoare
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D33066
William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire
by John Brooks, sold by Thomas Jefferys, and sold by William Herbert, after James Worsdale
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D35158
William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire
by John Brooks, sold by Thomas Jefferys, and sold by William Herbert, after James Worsdale
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D35159
by John Brooks, after Charles Jervas
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D1216
by John Brooks, published by Thomas Jefferys, published by William Herbert
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D4118
by and published by John Brooks, after Robert Hunter
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D5661
by John Brooks, after James Latham
mezzotint, circa 1730-1756
NPG D729
by John Brooks
mezzotint, 1740 or after
NPG D32537
Humphry Butler, 1st Earl of Lanesborough when Viscount Lanesborough
by John Brooks, published by Thomas Jefferys, published by William Herbert, after C. Brown
mezzotint, circa 1740-1756
NPG D37159
by John Brooks, published by Thomas Jefferys, published by William Herbert, after Anthony Lee
mezzotint, 1740-1756
NPG D37347
by John Brooks, sold by Thomas Jefferys, sold by William Herbert, after Robert Hunter
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D38138
by John Brooks, published by Thomas Jefferys, published by William Herbert
mezzotint, 1741 or after
NPG D1083
published by John Brooks, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1741
NPG D4866
published by John Brooks, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1741
NPG D4867
by John Brooks, published by Thomas Jefferys, published by William Herbert, after James Latham
mezzotint, 1741
NPG D5605
by and published by John Brooks, after James Latham
mezzotint, published 1741
NPG D7141
by John Brooks, published by Thomas Jefferys, published by William Herbert
mezzotint, 1741 or after
NPG D779
by John Brooks, published by Thomas Jefferys, published by William Herbert, after Francis Bindon
mezzotint, 1742 or after
NPG D32003
by John Brooks, published by Thomas Jefferys, published by William Herbert, after Francis Bindon
mezzotint, 1742 or after
NPG D32004
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