John Simon
(1675-1751), Mezzotint engraverArtist associated with 213 portraits
Born in France, John Simon trained in Paris as a line engraver before moving to London and working as a mezzotint engraver. Simon's work came to the attention of Sir Godfrey Kneller who, in about 1708-9 had argued with his principal engraver, John Smith. In the period before the dispute was settled, Simon obtained several of Kneller's commissions, which gained him a wider reputation. Simon was a prolific engraver, particularly noted for his portraits after Kneller and Dahl, but also after Gibson, Murray, Mercier and Seeman. His subjects represented all points of the political spectrum.
Catherine Walpole (née Shorter), Lady Walpole
by John Simon, printed and sold by Robert Sayer, after Michael Dahl
mezzotint, published circa 1748-1760
NPG D3770
Charles Mordaunt, 3rd Earl of Peterborough
by John Simon, published by Edward Cooper, after Michael Dahl
mezzotint, circa 1685-1693
NPG D19799
by John Simon, published by Edward Cooper, after Charles Boit
mezzotint, circa 1700-1725
NPG D19594
by John Simon, published by Jacob Tonson I, or Jacob Tonson II, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1704-1710)
NPG D19604
by John Simon, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1708-1717
NPG D20398
Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham
by and sold by John Simon, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1710-1713)
NPG D19440
Thomas Wharton, 1st Marquess of Wharton
by John Simon, published by Jacob Tonson I, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (circa 1710-1715)
NPG D19662
by and published by John Simon, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1712-1713 (1711)
NPG D19535
by John Simon, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, circa 1715
NPG D20308
Henry Benedict Maria Clement Stuart, Cardinal York
by John Simon
mezzotint, circa 1725-1750
NPG D19519
by John Simon, sold by Thomas Bowles Sr, and sold by John Bowles, after Robert White
mezzotint, circa 1725-1750
NPG D19747
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