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William Faithorne

(circa 1620-1691), Engraver and draughtsman

Sitter associated with 4 portraits
Artist associated with 720 portraits
Apprenticed first to printseller Robert Peake and then to engraver John Payne, Faithorne was captured during the civil wars, imprisoned, and exiled as a royalist. By 1652, Faithorne had returned to London. His close links with the international print trade enabled him to establish his own print shop. In addition to selling prints, he continued to work as a printer and engraver, and published The Art of Graving and Etching in 1662. On the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Faithorne was appointed engraver in copper to the king. One of his sons, also named William Faithorne, was a mezzotint engraver.

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Unknown man, formerly known as William Faithorne, attributed to Robert Walker - NPG 618

Unknown man, formerly known as William Faithorne

attributed to Robert Walker
oil on canvas, circa 1650
NPG 618

William Faithorne, by John Fillian, after William Faithorne - NPG D22738

William Faithorne

by John Fillian, after William Faithorne
line engraving, circa 1660-1680
NPG D22738

William Faithorne, by John Fillian, after William Faithorne - NPG D20002

William Faithorne

by John Fillian, after William Faithorne
engraving, circa 1660-1680
NPG D20002

William Faithorne, by G. Barrett, after William Faithorne - NPG D30440

William Faithorne

by G. Barrett, after William Faithorne
line engraving, published 1794
NPG D30440

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