Search the Collection

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.

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

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

Andromeda, published by John Smith, after  Marcellus Laroon - NPG D11736

Andromeda

published by John Smith, after Marcellus Laroon
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11736

Daniel in the Lions Den, published by John Smith, after  Dirck Barendsz - NPG D11744

Daniel in the Lions Den

published by John Smith, after Dirck Barendsz
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11744

Love, Hope and Beauty, published by John Smith, after  Simon Vouet - NPG D11749

Love, Hope and Beauty

published by John Smith, after Simon Vouet
mezzotint, 1680-1690
NPG D11749

Woman playing a pipe in a tavern, published by John Smith, after  David Teniers Jr - NPG D11752

Woman playing a pipe in a tavern

published by John Smith, after David Teniers Jr
mezzotint, circa 1680-1700
NPG D11752

Cupid grinding his arrows, published by John Smith, after  Francesco Albani - NPG D11759

Cupid grinding his arrows

published by John Smith, after Francesco Albani
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11759

James Laroche ('O Rare show'), published by John Smith, after  Egbert van Heemskerck the Elder - NPG D11761

James Laroche ('O Rare show')

published by John Smith, after Egbert van Heemskerck the Elder
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11761

Virgin and Child with angels playing instruments, published by John Smith, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D11764

Virgin and Child with angels playing instruments

published by John Smith, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11764

Christ as a Child lying with a cross, crown of thorns and nails, published by John Smith, after  Nicolas Pierre Loir (Loyr) - NPG D11765

Christ as a Child lying with a cross, crown of thorns and nails

published by John Smith, after Nicolas Pierre Loir (Loyr)
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11765

Vanitas (still-life with skull), by Robert Robinson, published by  John Smith - NPG D11770

Vanitas (still-life with skull)

by Robert Robinson, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11770

Shepherd piping by a fountain, by Robert Robinson, published by  John Smith - NPG D11794

Shepherd piping by a fountain

by Robert Robinson, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11794

Henry Compton, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  John Riley - NPG D11588

Henry Compton

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after John Riley
mezzotint, (circa 1680-1685)
NPG D11588

Still Life with Tankard, Wine Flask and Fruit, by Robert Robinson, published by  John Smith - NPG D11815

Still Life with Tankard, Wine Flask and Fruit

by Robert Robinson, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11815

Huntsman and Greyhounds, by Robert Robinson, published by  John Smith - NPG D11816

Huntsman and Greyhounds

by Robert Robinson, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11816

A Greyhound, possibly published by John Smith, after  Jan Verkolje - NPG D11836

A Greyhound

possibly published by John Smith, after Jan Verkolje
mezzotint, 1680
NPG D11836

The Huntsman, by Robert Robinson, published by  John Smith - NPG D11842

The Huntsman

by Robert Robinson, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1680-1700
NPG D11842

Queen Anne when Princess of Denmark, by Robert Williams, published by  John Smith - NPG D11967

Queen Anne when Princess of Denmark

by Robert Williams, published by John Smith
mezzotint, circa 1680-1704
NPG D11967

Greville Verney, by Robert Williams, published by  John Smith, after  Michael Dahl - NPG D11680

Greville Verney

by Robert Williams, published by John Smith, after Michael Dahl
mezzotint, circa 1680-1704 (circa 1689-1695)
NPG D11680

George Petty, by Robert Williams, published by  John Smith, after  Thomas Murray - NPG D11703

George Petty

by Robert Williams, published by John Smith, after Thomas Murray
mezzotint, circa 1680-1704
NPG D11703

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D30496

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
NPG D30496

Catherine of Braganza, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith - NPG D30810

Catherine of Braganza

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D30810

Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle, by Isaac Beckett, after  Thomas Murray, published by  John Smith - NPG D30843

Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle

by Isaac Beckett, after Thomas Murray, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D30843

Diana Turnor (née Cecil), by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt, published by  John Smith - NPG D31027

Diana Turnor (née Cecil)

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D31027

Count Ferdinando d'Ada, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith - NPG D31050

Count Ferdinando d'Ada

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D31050

Dorothy Fane (née Brudenell), Countess of Westmorland, by Isaac Beckett, after  John Riley, published by  John Smith - NPG D31325

Dorothy Fane (née Brudenell), Countess of Westmorland

by Isaac Beckett, after John Riley, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D31325

Henrietta Maria Wyvill (née Yarborough), Lady Wyvill, by and published by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31347

Henrietta Maria Wyvill (née Yarborough), Lady Wyvill

by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D31347

Henrietta Maria Wyvill (née Yarborough), Lady Wyvill, by and published by John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31348

Henrietta Maria Wyvill (née Yarborough), Lady Wyvill

by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D31348

Unknown woman, by Isaac Beckett, sold by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D39908

Unknown woman

by Isaac Beckett, sold by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D39908

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D1473

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
NPG D1473

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D1474

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
NPG D1474

Louis Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  John Riley - NPG D1913

Louis Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after John Riley
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D1913

Louis Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  John Riley - NPG D2341

Louis Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after John Riley
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D2341

Henrietta Maria Wyvill (née Yarborough), Lady Wyvill, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D4948

Henrietta Maria Wyvill (née Yarborough), Lady Wyvill

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D4948

Diana Turnor (née Cecil), by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11600

Diana Turnor (née Cecil)

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D11600

King Charles I, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D11518

King Charles I

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D11518

Unknown woman, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11616

Unknown woman

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
NPG D11616

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11617

Barbara Palmer (née Villiers), Duchess of Cleveland

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
NPG D11617

The Dutch School, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Egbert van Heemskerck the Elder - NPG D11738

The Dutch School

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Egbert van Heemskerck the Elder
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D11738

Pan and Syrinx, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith - NPG D11748

Pan and Syrinx

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D11748

Category

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.