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Isaac Beckett

(1652 or 1653-1688), Engraver

Artist associated with 184 portraits
The first major English mezzotint engraver, apprenticed to a calico printer in London. He was introduced to the newly invented technique of mezzotinting by John Lloyd, a printseller. Beckett engraved numerous mezzotint portraits, principally after the designs of Sir Peter Lely, Godfrey Kneller, Wissing and Riley. He also engraved religious, mythological and landscape scenes after Heemskerck and other masters. Among his greatest mezzotint portraits are Sir Godfrey Kneller, King Charles II and James, Duke of York. Apart from his earliest work, Beckett published and sold his prints himself. He took on engraver John Smith as an assistant.

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Dead Saviour, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith - NPG D11882

Dead Saviour

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith
mezzotint, published circa 1683-1729
NPG D11882

Anne Killigrew, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Anne Killigrew - NPG D11896

Anne Killigrew

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Anne Killigrew
mezzotint, published circa 1683-1729
NPG D11896

Isabella FitzRoy (née Bennet), Duchess of Grafton, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11970

Isabella FitzRoy (née Bennet), Duchess of Grafton

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, published circa 1683-1729
NPG D11970

Queen Anne when Princess of Denmark, by and published by Isaac Beckett, after  Willem Wissing - NPG D19097

Queen Anne when Princess of Denmark

by and published by Isaac Beckett, after Willem Wissing
mezzotint, 1683-1688
NPG D19097

Elizabeth Cecil (née Brownlow), Countess of Exeter, by Isaac Beckett, published by  Alexander Browne, after  Gilbert Soest - NPG D31013

Elizabeth Cecil (née Brownlow), Countess of Exeter

by Isaac Beckett, published by Alexander Browne, after Gilbert Soest
mezzotint, circa 1684
NPG D31013

Sir Peter Lely, by Isaac Beckett, published by  Alexander Browne, after  Sir Peter Lely - NPG D3569

Sir Peter Lely

by Isaac Beckett, published by Alexander Browne, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1684
NPG D3569

Anne Kirke (née Killigrew), by Isaac Beckett, published by  Alexander Browne, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D11449

Anne Kirke (née Killigrew)

by Isaac Beckett, published by Alexander Browne, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, circa 1684 (circa 1637)
NPG D11449

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, by Isaac Beckett, published by  Alexander Browne, after  Thomas Hawker - NPG D11403

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton

by Isaac Beckett, published by Alexander Browne, after Thomas Hawker
mezzotint, circa 1684
NPG D11403

Sir Peter Lely, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Peter Lely - NPG D11494

Sir Peter Lely

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, 1684-1688
NPG D11494

Lamentation, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Annibale Carracci - NPG D11718

Lamentation

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Annibale Carracci
mezzotint, 1684 (1599-1600)
NPG D11718

Anne Kirke (née Killigrew), by Isaac Beckett, published by  Edward Cooper, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D13172

Anne Kirke (née Killigrew)

by Isaac Beckett, published by Edward Cooper, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, circa 1684 (circa 1637)
NPG D13172

Sir Peter Lely, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Peter Lely - NPG D12041

Sir Peter Lely

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, 1684-1688
NPG D12041

Sir Peter Lely, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Peter Lely - NPG D12039

Sir Peter Lely

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, 1684-1688
NPG D12039

Sir Peter Lely, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Peter Lely - NPG D12040

Sir Peter Lely

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, 1684-1688
NPG D12040

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D29468

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1685-1688
NPG D29468

Mary of Modena, by and sold by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D32749

Mary of Modena

by and sold by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1685-1688
NPG D32749

Madam Baker, by Isaac Beckett, after  John Smith, published by  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31018

Madam Baker

by Isaac Beckett, after John Smith, published by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1685)
NPG D31018

Lucy Loftus (née Brydges), Viscountess Lisburne, by John Smith, published by  Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31030

Lucy Loftus (née Brydges), Viscountess Lisburne

by John Smith, published by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1685
NPG D31030

Ferdinando d'Adda, by Isaac Beckett, after  Unknown artist - NPG D9297

Ferdinando d'Adda

by Isaac Beckett, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, 1685 or after
NPG D9297

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D36898

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1685-1688 (1685)
NPG D36898

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D36899

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1685-1688 (1685)
NPG D36899

Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield, by and published by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D37366

Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield

by and published by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1685)
NPG D37366

Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield, by and published by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D37367

Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield

by and published by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1685)
NPG D37367

Ferdinando d'Adda, by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D1712

Ferdinando d'Adda

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1685-1688
NPG D1712

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D2456

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1685-1688
NPG D2456

Isabella FitzRoy (née Bennet), Duchess of Grafton, by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D2493

Isabella FitzRoy (née Bennet), Duchess of Grafton

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1685
NPG D2493

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D2645

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1685-1688
NPG D2645

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D2646

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1685-1688
NPG D2646

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt, by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D3498

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1685-1688 (1685)
NPG D3498

Madam Baker, by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D584

Madam Baker

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1685)
NPG D584

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11493

Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1685-1688 (1685)
NPG D11493

Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield, by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11561

Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1685)
NPG D11561

Madam Baker, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11954

Madam Baker

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1685)
NPG D11954

Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield, by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D17886

Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1685)
NPG D17886

Hadriaan (Adrian) Beverland, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Simon du Bois (or Dubois) - NPG D31745

Hadriaan (Adrian) Beverland

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Simon du Bois (or Dubois)
mezzotint, 1686
NPG D31745

Nicolas de Largillière; his wife and two children, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Nicolas de Largillière - NPG D30418

Nicolas de Largillière; his wife and two children

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Nicolas de Largillière
mezzotint, 1686
NPG D30418

King James II, by and published by Isaac Beckett, after  Nicolas de Largillière - NPG D30781

King James II

by and published by Isaac Beckett, after Nicolas de Largillière
mezzotint, circa 1686
NPG D30781

King James II, by and published by Isaac Beckett, after  Nicolas de Largillière - NPG D30784

King James II

by and published by Isaac Beckett, after Nicolas de Largillière
mezzotint, circa 1686
NPG D30784

possibly William Cecil, by Isaac Beckett, published by  Edward Cooper, after  Willem Wissing - NPG D30941

possibly William Cecil

by Isaac Beckett, published by Edward Cooper, after Willem Wissing
mezzotint, circa 1686
NPG D30941

Pieter van der Meulen, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Nicolas de Largillière - NPG D11500

Pieter van der Meulen

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Nicolas de Largillière
mezzotint, 1686
NPG D11500

Hadriaan (Adrian) Beverland, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Simon du Bois (or Dubois) - NPG D11756

Hadriaan (Adrian) Beverland

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Simon du Bois (or Dubois)
mezzotint, 1686
NPG D11756

Nicolas de Largillière; his wife and two children, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Nicolas de Largillière - NPG D11557

Nicolas de Largillière; his wife and two children

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Nicolas de Largillière
mezzotint, 1686
NPG D11557

King James II, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Nicolas de Largillière - NPG D11916

King James II

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Nicolas de Largillière
mezzotint, 1686
NPG D11916

Robert ('Beau') Feilding, by and published by Isaac Beckett, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11706

Robert ('Beau') Feilding

by and published by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1686
NPG D11706

Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11605

Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (1687)
NPG D11605

John Drummond, 1st Earl of and titular Duke of Melfort, by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Smith, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D11955

John Drummond, 1st Earl of and titular Duke of Melfort

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (1687)
NPG D11955

Catherine of Braganza, by Cornelius Nicolas Schurtz, after  Isaac Beckett - NPG D29294

Catherine of Braganza

by Cornelius Nicolas Schurtz, after Isaac Beckett
engraving, 1689
NPG D29294

Queen Anne when Princess of Denmark, probably by Isaac Beckett, published by  Edward Cooper, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D9232

Queen Anne when Princess of Denmark

probably by Isaac Beckett, published by Edward Cooper, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1689
NPG D9232

Queen Anne when Princess of Denmark, probably by Isaac Beckett, published by  John Savage, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D31058

Queen Anne when Princess of Denmark

probably by Isaac Beckett, published by John Savage, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1689
NPG D31058

Catherine of Braganza, by Cornelius Nicolas Schurtz, after  Isaac Beckett - NPG D18441

Catherine of Braganza

by Cornelius Nicolas Schurtz, after Isaac Beckett
line engraving, 1689
NPG D18441

Louis Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham, by Burrell, after  Silvester (Sylvester) Harding, after  Isaac Beckett, after  John Riley - NPG D30856

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

Thomas Cartwright, by Sir Henry Hake, after  Isaac Beckett, after  Gilbert Soest - NPG D21670

Thomas Cartwright

by Sir Henry Hake, after Isaac Beckett, after Gilbert Soest
pencil on tracing paper, circa 1927-1951
NPG D21670

Web image not currently available

Henry Compton

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after John Riley
mezzotint, (circa 1680-1685)
NPG D19923

Web image not currently available

Isabella FitzRoy (née Bennet), Duchess of Grafton

by Isaac Beckett, published by Edward Cooper, after Willem Wissing
mezzotint, 1680s
NPG D20269

Web image not currently available

Joan Soame (née Shute)

by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D4274

Web image not currently available

Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith, after Thomas Murray
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D19396

Web image not currently available

Catherine of Braganza

by Isaac Beckett, published by John Smith
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D19965

Web image not currently available

Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton

by and published by Isaac Beckett, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1681-1688
NPG D19975

Web image not currently available

John Maitland, Duke of Lauderdale

by and published by Isaac Beckett, after John Riley
mezzotint, circa 1681-1688
NPG D20015

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