Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
(1745-1809), Artist; publisherArtist associated with 218 portraits
Sylvester Harding was a miniaturist and engraver, born in Newcastle-under-Lyme and sent to London to an apprenticeship with a hairdresser as a boy. He ran away at the age of fourteen and spent several years in a company of strolling players before embarking upon a successful career as a miniature painter in 1775. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1777 to 1787. Harding also collaborated on illustrated publications with his brother, a librarian, and his son, an engraver. Published works by Harding include Illustrations from Shakespeare, The Biographical Mirror and Memoirs of Count de Grammont.
attributed to Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Nicholas Hilliard
watercolour, 1848, based on a work of circa 1588-1591
NPG 2413
by Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Sir Peter Lely
watercolour, circa 1765-1809, based on a work of circa 1663
NPG 2403
copy attributed to Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Thomas Johnson
watercolour, late 18th century, based on a work of circa 1710
NPG 2540
by Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger
watercolour
NPG 3090(1)
by Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
watercolour and ink on paper, engraved 1794
NPG 2541
by Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
watercolour on off-white card, 1803
NPG 4615a
by Edward Harding, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, possibly late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D25053
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
Charlotte Stanley (née de La Trémoille), Countess of Derby
by Thomas Nugent, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, late 18th century
NPG D28418
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
George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol
by R. Clamp, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, late 18th century
NPG D28789
by Andrew Birrell, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D29279
by R. Clamp, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D29323
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
by Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, or by Edward Harding
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D29945
Francisco Corbetta (Francisque Corbette)
by Ignatius Joseph van den Berghe, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D30455
by William Nelson Gardiner, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D30705
Louis Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham
by Burrell, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Isaac Beckett, after John Riley
stipple engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D30856
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
by R. Clamp, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
stipple engraving, late 18th century
NPG D31531
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Mr.E.P.Daly
17 April 2018, 17:27
Sylvester Harding painted DavidMurray,7th Viscount Stormont around 1790-91, who would later become 2nd Earl Mansfield. Amongst his many titles Lord Stormont was Chief Justice General of Scotland and a Knight of the Thistle. He was also the uncle of Dido Elizabeth Belle as his cousin was also an aristocrat by the name of Sir John Lindsay KB,Prince of Arcot, Dido's father.
They were both the nephews of William Murray,Lord Mansfield and Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales. His seat was at Kenwood House, Hampstead, then in Middlesex where Lord Stormont was a regular visitor. Dido was raised there with her cousin Elizabeth Mary Murray who was Lord Stormont's daughter from an earlier marriage.