William Faithorne
(circa 1620-1691), Engraver and draughtsmanSitter 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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