James Watson
(circa 1740-1790), EngraverArtist 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.
by James Watson, printed by Robert Sayer, after Tilly Kettle
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D36160
by James Watson, printed by Robert Sayer, after Tilly Kettle
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D36161
by James Watson, published by John Bowles, after Charles Spooner
mezzotint, published circa 1740-1780
NPG D14527
by James Watson, printed for Robert Sayer, after J. Williams
mezzotint, published circa 1745-1794
NPG D4741
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
mezzotint, circa 1750-1790
NPG D14974
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
mezzotint, (1756-1759)
NPG D39832
George Bridges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney
by James Watson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1756-1759)
NPG D39833
by James Watson, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1758-1762)
NPG D3110
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
mezzotint, (circa 1759)
NPG D36556
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
mezzotint, 1760s (circa 1766-1767)
NPG D34760
by James Watson, published by Henry Parker, published by Elizabeth Bakewell, after Nathaniel Hone
mezzotint, late 18th century
NPG D9492
by James Watson, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1760-1790
NPG D39287
by James Watson, published by Robert Sayer, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1760)
NPG D40562
by James Watson, published by Robert Sayer, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
mezzotint, (1760)
NPG D40563
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
mezzotint, (1760)
NPG D3181
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