William Nelson Gardiner
(1766-1814), Engraver and booksellerArtist associated with 52 portraits
An Irish engraver, Gardiner studied art at the Dublin Academy. Around 1790 he came to London and became a principal assistant to Francesco Bartolozzi. He engraved plates for Harding's Shakespeare, De Grammont's Memoirs and Diana Beauclerk's illustrations to Dryden's Fables. Gardiner also engraved important plates after Bunbury, Hamilton and Francis Wheatley. His portraits, in particular, were highly sought after by publishers such as Boydell. Despite his obvious talents as an engraver, it is reported that Gardiner led a restless life. In around 1800, he returned to Dublin and is said to have squandered all his money, committing suicide in 1814.
Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke
by William Nelson Gardiner, after William Hoare
watercolour, circa 1800, based on a work of 1763
NPG 466
John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D27159
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Samuel Cooper
stipple engraving, late 18th century
NPG D28745
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Samuel Cooper
stipple engraving, late 18th century
NPG D28746
John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D29345
Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Sir Peter Lely
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D29346
Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Sir Peter Lely
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D29494
Elizabeth Stanhope (née Butler), Countess of Chesterfield
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Sir Peter Lely
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D30527
Aemilia Butler (née van Nassau), Countess of Ossory
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Willem Wissing
stipple engraving, late 18th century
NPG D30651
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D30705
Sarah Wilson as Harriet in Holcroft's 'Seduction'
by William Nelson Gardiner, published by Edward Harding, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
hand-coloured stipple engraving, published 1787
NPG D4850
by William Nelson Gardiner, published by Edward Harding, after John Nixon
etching, published July 1787 (1787)
NPG D966
by William Nelson Gardiner, published by Edward Harding, after John Nixon
etching, published July 1787 (1787)
NPG D14733
by William Nelson Gardiner, published by Edward Harding, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, published 10 March 1788
NPG D2978
by William Nelson Gardiner, published by Edward Harding, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, published 1790
NPG D23766
by William Nelson Gardiner, published by Edward Harding
stipple engraving, published 1 February 1790
NPG D23803
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, published 1790
NPG D28075
by William Nelson Gardiner, published by Edward Harding, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Unknown artist
stipple engraving, published 1790
NPG D33817
by William Nelson Gardiner, published by Edward Harding, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple and line engraving, published 27 May 1790
NPG D35557
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