Search the Collection

James Watson

(circa 1740-1790), Engraver

Artist associated with 193 portraits
James Watson was born in Ireland. As a young man he moved to London, where he studied mezzotint engraving. He became one of the leading mezzotint engravers of the day, including fifty-six plates after the paintings of Joshua Reynolds. The majority of Watson's work was produced for Sayer, Boydell and other printsellers but he published some plates himself. Watson exhibited at the Society of Artists from 1762 to 1775, during which time he was regarded as a master in his field.

 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

Ann Elliot as Juno, by James Watson, printed by  Robert Sayer, after  Tilly Kettle - NPG D36160

Ann Elliot as Juno

by James Watson, printed by Robert Sayer, after Tilly Kettle
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D36160

Ann Elliot as Juno, by James Watson, printed by  Robert Sayer, after  Tilly Kettle - NPG D36161

Ann Elliot as Juno

by James Watson, printed by Robert Sayer, after Tilly Kettle
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D36161

Nancy Dawson, by James Watson, published by  John Bowles, after  Charles Spooner - NPG D14527

Nancy Dawson

by James Watson, published by John Bowles, after Charles Spooner
mezzotint, published circa 1740-1780
NPG D14527

John Wesley, by James Watson, printed for  Robert Sayer, after  J. Williams - NPG D4741

John Wesley

by James Watson, printed for Robert Sayer, after J. Williams
mezzotint, published circa 1745-1794
NPG D4741

John Wesley, by James Watson, printed by  Robert Sayer, after  J. Williams - NPG D14216

John Wesley

by James Watson, printed by Robert Sayer, after J. Williams
mezzotint, published circa 1745-1794
NPG D14216

Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick and Brooke, by James Watson, after  Thomas Gainsborough - NPG D14974

Francis Greville, 1st Earl of Warwick and Brooke

by James Watson, after Thomas Gainsborough
mezzotint, circa 1750-1790
NPG D14974

Nancy Parsons as Juno, by James Watson, after  Tilly Kettle - NPG D38341

Nancy Parsons as Juno

by James Watson, after Tilly Kettle
mezzotint, late 18th century
NPG D38341

George Bridges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, by James Watson, sold by  Ryland and Bryer, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39832

George Bridges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney

by James Watson, sold by Ryland and Bryer, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1756-1759)
NPG D39832

George Bridges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, by James Watson, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D39833

George Bridges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney

by James Watson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1756-1759)
NPG D39833

Sir George Howard, by James Watson, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D3110

Sir George Howard

by James Watson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1758-1762)
NPG D3110

Sir George Howard, by James Watson, published by  John Bowles, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D14866

Sir George Howard

by James Watson, published by John Bowles, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1758-1762)
NPG D14866

Janet (née Wedderburn), Lady Erskine, by James Watson, published by  Robert Sayer, after  Allan Ramsay - NPG D36556

Janet (née Wedderburn), Lady Erskine

by James Watson, published by Robert Sayer, after Allan Ramsay
mezzotint, (circa 1759)
NPG D36556

Mary Smith (née Cunliffe), by James Watson, after  Francis Cotes - NPG D9158

Mary Smith (née Cunliffe)

by James Watson, after Francis Cotes
mezzotint, 1760-1790
NPG D9158

John Manners, Marquess of Granby and an unknown boy, by James Watson, sold by  Ryland and Bryer, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D34760

John Manners, Marquess of Granby and an unknown boy

by James Watson, sold by Ryland and Bryer, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, 1760s (circa 1766-1767)
NPG D34760

The Brickdust Man, by James Watson, published by  Henry Parker, published by  Elizabeth Bakewell, after  Nathaniel Hone - NPG D9492

The Brickdust Man

by James Watson, published by Henry Parker, published by Elizabeth Bakewell, after Nathaniel Hone
mezzotint, late 18th century
NPG D9492

Sir John Trenchard, by James Watson, after  Unknown artist - NPG D39287

Sir John Trenchard

by James Watson, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1760-1790
NPG D39287

Henrietta Catherine Cholmley (née Croft), by James Watson, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D1412

Henrietta Catherine Cholmley (née Croft)

by James Watson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1760-1761)
NPG D1412

Lady Charlotte Johnstone (née Montagu), by James Watson, after  Sir Joshua Reynolds - NPG D3181

Lady Charlotte Johnstone (née Montagu)

by James Watson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1760)
NPG D3181

Category

Place

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.