Sir Godfrey Kneller

John Smith the Engraver

1696

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

License this image

Not on display
Artist
Sir Godfrey Kneller 1646–1723
Medium
Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions
Support: 758 x 630 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Presented by William Smith 1856
Reference
N00273

Display caption

Smith, a leading London engraver, is shown holding the mezzotint that he had made from Kneller's self-portrait of 1694. In his career, Smith produced some 280 mezzotint portrait prints, of which about 140 were after works by Kneller. Thus Kneller, the foremost fashionable portraitist, brought business to Smith, whose prints in turn gave him publicity. This portrait, which reflects their close cooperation, was painted as a gift for Smith, who is depicted in the informal attire and fur-lined cap of a gentleman at leisure.

Gallery label, August 2004

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Later Stuart Netherlands-trained, working in Britain

Features

Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘John Smith the Engraver’ 1696

John Smith the Engraver 1696: By Godfrey Kneller

Rica Jones and Joyce H. Townsend

Read technical information about this painting resulting from examination and scientific analysis by conservators and conservation scientists at Tate

Explore

You might like

Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘The First Marquess of Tweeddale’ 1695

Sir Godfrey Kneller The First Marquess of Tweeddale

1695
N03272
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘Philip, 4th Lord Wharton’ 1685

Sir Godfrey Kneller Philip, 4th Lord Wharton

1685
T12029
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘Portrait of John Banckes’ 1676

Sir Godfrey Kneller Portrait of John Banckes

1676
T05019
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘The Harvey Family’ 1721

Sir Godfrey Kneller The Harvey Family

1721
T07615
Unknown artist, Britain, attributed to Mary Beale, ‘Portrait of Robert Colman’ c.1690

Unknown artist, Britain, attributed to Mary Beale Portrait of Robert Colman

c.1690
T07240
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Elizabeth, Countess of Kildare’ c.1679

Sir Peter Lely Elizabeth, Countess of Kildare

c.1679
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T00070
John Riley, ‘James Sotheby’ c.1690

John Riley James Sotheby

c.1690
T00057
Simon Du Bois, ‘Portrait of a Gentleman, probably Arthur Parsons MD’ 1683

Simon Du Bois Portrait of a Gentleman, probably Arthur Parsons MD

1683
T07469
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Girl with a Parrot’ c.1670

Sir Peter Lely Girl with a Parrot

c.1670
N01016
Mary Beale, ‘Portrait of a Young Girl’ c.1681

Mary Beale Portrait of a Young Girl

c.1681
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T06612
Sir Peter Lely, ‘Frans Mercurius van Helmont’ 1670–1

Sir Peter Lely Frans Mercurius van Helmont

1670–1
N03583
Jan Siberechts, ‘Landscape with Rainbow, Henley-on-Thames’ c.1690

Jan Siberechts Landscape with Rainbow, Henley-on-Thames

c.1690
T00899
Sir Godfrey Kneller, ‘Elijah and the Angel’ 1672

Sir Godfrey Kneller Elijah and the Angel

1672
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art N06222
Edward Collier, ‘Still Life with a Volume of Wither’s ‘Emblemes’’ 1696

Edward Collier Still Life with a Volume of Wither’s ‘Emblemes’

1696
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art N05916
John Michael Wright, ‘Sir Neil O’Neill’ 1680

John Michael Wright Sir Neil O’Neill

1680
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art T00132