William Sharp
(1749-1824), EngraverSitter in 2 portraits
Artist associated with 73 portraits
One of England's most heralded engravers of the late eighteenth century, William Sharp began his career as an engraver of pewter pots and tankards. From 1771, he studied at the Royal Academy schools, after which he set himself up as a line engraver. Sharp's reputation was made with his engraving, Alfred the Great Dividing his Loaf with the Pilgrim, after Benjamin West and published by Boydell in 1782. One of the eighteenth century's most accomplished line engravers, Sharp excelled at portraits and allegorical and historical scenes based upon the designs of such contemporary British painters as West, Sir Joshua Reynolds and George Romney.
by William Sharp, after James Northcote
line engraving, published 1811
NPG D32404
by William Sharp, after James Northcote
line engraving, published 1811
NPG D32405
by William Sharp, after Thomas Stothard
line engraving, 1812
NPG D31829
by William Sharp, published by Jane Townley
line engraving, published 12 January 1812
NPG D41985
by William Sharp, published by Jane Townley
line engraving, published 12 January 1812
NPG D41986
by William Sharp, published by Jane Townley
line engraving, published 12 January 1812
NPG D19573
by William Sharp, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
etching (progress proof for engraving), published 1814 (1812)
NPG D34477
by and published by William Sharp, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
line engraving, published 12 August 1814
NPG D34817
by and published by William Sharp, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
line engraving, published 12 August 1814
NPG D34818
by William Sharp, after Robert Home
line engraving, published 1814
NPG D36431
by William Sharp, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, published 1 February 1815
NPG D26346
by and published by William Sharp, after John Hoppner
line engraving, published 1 December 1815
NPG D39182
by and published by William Sharp, after John Hoppner
line engraving, published 1 December 1815
NPG D15351
by William Sharp, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, published 1817 (1635-1636)
NPG D31960
by William Sharp, published by and after William Armfield Hobday
line engraving, published 1 December 1817
NPG D39707
by William Sharp, after George Francis Joseph
line engraving, published 12 May 1817
NPG D5951
by William Sharp, published by and after William Armfield Hobday
line engraving, published 1 December 1817
NPG D18004
by William Sharp, published by John Smith, after George Francis Joseph
line engraving, published 12 May 1817
NPG D19802
Fictitious portrait of John Bunyan
by William Sharp, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1819
NPG D32390
by William Sharp
line engraving, published 1 December 1821
NPG D32430
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