{"title":"John Smith","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"venus-rising-from-the-sea-john-smith","title":"Venus Rising from the Sea - John Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 1701 mezzotint by John Smith depicting the classical myth of Venus rising from the sea, based on a composition by Correggio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mezzotint by John Smith, dated 1701, reproduces a composition attributed to the Italian master Correggio. Smith was a highly skilled engraver, known for his mastery of the mezzotint technique, which allowed for subtle gradations of tone and soft transitions between light and shadow. This particular print demonstrates his ability to translate the painterly qualities of an oil original into the monochromatic medium of printmaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subject depicts Venus, the goddess of love, standing upon a scallop shell as she emerges from the ocean. She is accompanied by putti, or cherubic figures, who hover above and sit at her feet, while a pair of doves pulls her shell through the water. The composition follows classical iconographic traditions, placing the central figure in a graceful, contrapposto stance. The background features a distant shoreline, providing a sense of space that balances the foreground figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmith's technical precision is evident in the rendering of the textures, from the soft skin of the figures to the turbulent surface of the sea. The use of light creates a gentle illumination across the scene, drawing the eye to the central figure of Venus. The inscription at the base of the print notes that it was taken from the collection of the Marquess of Normanby, indicating its provenance within an aristocratic English collection of the early eighteenth century. This work provides an example of how European Old Master paintings were disseminated to a wider audience through the medium of print during the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Smith","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58673663803727,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58674098766159,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58674098798927,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58674098831695,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58674098864463,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58674098897231,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58674098929999,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58674098962767,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58674098995535,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58674099028303,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58674099061071,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58674099093839,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Venus-Rising-from-the-Sea_Poster_CompositorV1_1788532456670.jpg?v=1788533182"},{"product_id":"the-right-honourable-ann-lady-torrington-john-smith","title":"The Right Honourable Ann, Lady Torrington - John Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eA refined mezzotint portrait of Ann, Lady Torrington, engraved by John Smith in 1720 after a painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mezzotint by John Smith depicts Ann, Lady Torrington, based on an original painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller. Smith was a highly skilled engraver who dominated the London print market during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. His mastery of the mezzotint technique allowed for subtle gradations of tone, which are evident in the soft modelling of the subject's face and the fluid folds of her gown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition follows the conventions of aristocratic portraiture common in the early Georgian period. Lady Torrington is shown in a three-quarter length pose, seated before a stone pillar with a heavy curtain draped to the right. A glimpse of a garden appears in the background, providing a sense of depth and setting. Her posture is relaxed, with one hand resting gently on her bodice and the other extended, a gesture that directs the viewer's attention across the frame. The play of light and shadow across the fabric of her dress demonstrates the technical precision Smith brought to his work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Smith produced this print in 1720, as noted in the inscription at the base of the plate. The text also identifies the original painter, Sir Godfrey Kneller, and provides the location of Smith's shop at the Lyon and Crown in Russell Street, Covent Garden. This print serves as a record of the social and artistic climate of the era, where the reproduction of portraits allowed the nobility to circulate their likenesses among a wider audience. The work remains a fine example of the high standards of British printmaking during the early eighteenth century, capturing the elegance and poise expected of a lady of her status.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Smith","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58674949914959,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58674969968975,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58674970001743,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58674970034511,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58674970067279,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58674970100047,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58674970132815,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58674970165583,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58674970198351,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58674970231119,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58674970263887,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58674970296655,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/The-Right-Honourable-Ann-Lady-Torrington_Poster_CompositorV1_1788534003647.jpg?v=1788536197"},{"product_id":"charles-xii-of-sweden-john-smith","title":"Charles XII of Sweden - John Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 1701 mezzotint portrait by John Smith depicting the young Charles XII of Sweden in full armour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mezzotint by John Smith, dated 1701, depicts Charles XII of Sweden. Smith was a prolific British engraver, known for his mastery of the mezzotint process, a technique that allows for subtle gradations of tone and soft transitions between light and shadow. This specific print captures the monarch in his youth, wearing full plate armour, which reflects his role as a warrior king during the Great Northern War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe portrait is set within an oval frame, a common convention for formal portraiture of the period. The subject wears a voluminous periwig, typical of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, which contrasts with the cold, metallic sheen of his breastplate. The artist uses the tonal range of the mezzotint to create a sense of depth and texture, particularly in the rendering of the lace cravat and the polished steel of the armour. The inscription at the base provides the formal titles of the king and references his military success at the Battle of Narva in 1700.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Smith operated from his shop at the Lyon and Crown in Russell Street, Covent Garden, where he produced many prints after the works of contemporary painters. This print is a fine example of how European royalty utilised the medium of printmaking to disseminate their image across the continent. The composition is balanced and formal, adhering to the established visual language of monarchical representation. The print remains a significant record of the visual culture surrounding the Swedish monarchy at the turn of the eighteenth century, demonstrating the technical precision that defined Smith's career as a printmaker in London.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Smith","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58675732676943,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58675910803791,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58675910836559,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58675910869327,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58675910902095,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58675910934863,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58675910967631,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58675911000399,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58675911033167,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58675911065935,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58675911098703,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58675911131471,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Charles-XII-of-Sweden_Poster_CompositorV1_1788537978338.jpg?v=1788540097"},{"product_id":"henricus-aldrich-john-smith","title":"Henricus Aldrich - John Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fine mezzotint portrait of Henry Aldrich, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, engraved by John Smith after a 1696 painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mezzotint portrait depicts Henry Aldrich (1647-1710), the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. The print is the work of John Smith, a highly skilled engraver who dominated the British print market during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Smith was particularly noted for his ability to translate the tonal qualities of oil paintings into the medium of mezzotint, a technique that relies on the manipulation of light and shadow rather than line work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition is based on an original painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller, dated 1696. Aldrich is shown in a bust-length format, enclosed within an oval frame. He wears the traditional clerical robes of his office, rendered with deep, velvety blacks that are characteristic of the mezzotint process. His expression is composed and direct, reflecting the formal conventions of academic portraiture of the period. The lower margin contains an elaborate calligraphic inscription, identifying the sitter as 'Henricus Aldrich S.T.P., Ecclesia Christi Oxon Decanus', and noting the date of the original painting alongside the engraver's credit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Smith was instrumental in the popularisation of mezzotint in Britain. His technical precision allowed for a subtle gradation of tones, which effectively captured the textures of fabric and the soft modelling of the sitter's face. This print provides a clear example of the collaborative relationship between painters and printmakers in the late Stuart era, where the dissemination of portraits of public figures was achieved through high-quality reproductive engraving. The work remains a fine example of the period's preference for dramatic chiaroscuro and formal dignity in portraiture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Smith","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58676316209487,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58676337869135,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58676337901903,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58676337934671,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58676337967439,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58676338000207,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58676338032975,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58676338065743,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58676338098511,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58676338131279,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58676338164047,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58676338196815,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Henricus-Aldrich_Poster_CompositorV1_1788545116177.jpg?v=1788545965"},{"product_id":"lady-elizabeth-cromwell-john-smith","title":"Lady Elizabeth Cromwell - John Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eA refined mezzotint portrait of Lady Elizabeth Cromwell, engraved by John Smith after the painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mezzotint by John Smith depicts Lady Elizabeth Cromwell, based on an original painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller. Smith was a highly skilled engraver who dominated the British print market during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. His mastery of the mezzotint process allowed for subtle gradations of tone, which are evident in the soft modelling of the subject's face and the delicate rendering of her drapery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe portrait follows the conventions of aristocratic representation common in the period. Lady Elizabeth is shown in a three-quarter view, set within a classic oval frame. Her pose is relaxed, with her gaze directed away from the viewer, suggesting a sense of composure. The light source is carefully managed to draw attention to her features, while the darker background provides a sense of depth. The engraving captures the texture of the fabric and the soft curls of her hair with precision, demonstrating the technical capabilities of the mezzotint medium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Smith was instrumental in popularising the works of Kneller, who was the leading portraitist in Britain at the time. By translating oil paintings into prints, Smith made the likenesses of the nobility accessible to a wider audience. This print reflects the aesthetic preferences of the era, where portraiture served as a record of status and identity. The inscription at the base of the print identifies the subject and provides the context of her marriage to Edward Southwell, further grounding the work in its historical setting. The print remains a fine example of early eighteenth-century British printmaking, showcasing the collaborative relationship between painter and engraver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Smith","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58676587921743,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58676704706895,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58676704739663,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58676704772431,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58676704805199,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58676704837967,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58676704870735,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58676704903503,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58676704936271,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58676704969039,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58676705001807,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58676705034575,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Lady-Elizabeth-Cromwell_Poster_CompositorV1_1788546437347.jpg?v=1788547298"},{"product_id":"sir-christopher-wren-john-smith","title":"Sir Christopher Wren - John Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fine mezzotint portrait of Sir Christopher Wren, engraved by John Smith in 1713 after a painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mezzotint portrait depicts Sir Christopher Wren, the architect responsible for the reconstruction of London following the Great Fire of 1666. Created by the engraver John Smith in 1713, the work is based on an original painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller. The print captures Wren at the age of 81, presenting him with the gravity and intellectual presence associated with his status as Surveyor-General of the King's Works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically, the image demonstrates the capabilities of the mezzotint process. Smith employs a range of tonal values to model the subject, from the deep shadows of the oval frame to the soft, diffused light on Wren's face and the intricate curls of his periwig. The texture of his velvet coat and the crisp folds of his cravat are rendered with precision, showing the capacity of the medium to produce smooth transitions between light and dark areas. This method of engraving was particularly popular in Britain during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries for reproducing oil portraits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition follows the conventions of formal portraiture of the period. Wren is positioned within an oval frame, a common device that directs focus toward the sitter. Below the portrait, a Latin inscription details his titles and his role in the rebuilding of St Paul's Cathedral and other public structures. The text serves as a record of his professional identity, linking the visual representation to his historical contributions. As a print, this work functioned as a means of disseminating the likeness of a public figure to a wider audience, reflecting the interest in portraiture and the documentation of notable individuals in Georgian society. The print remains a clear example of the collaboration between painter and engraver that defined the visual culture of the era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Smith","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58677281161551,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58677283193167,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58677283225935,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58677283258703,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58677283291471,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58677283324239,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58677283357007,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58677283389775,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58677283422543,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58677283455311,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58677283488079,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58677283520847,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Sir-Christopher-Wren_Poster_CompositorV1_1788549643150.jpg?v=1788550731"},{"product_id":"saint-catherine-john-smith","title":"Saint Catherine - John Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fine mezzotint by John Smith after Sir Godfrey Kneller, depicting Saint Catherine with her traditional attributes in a dramatic, tonal composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mezzotint by John Smith depicts Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a subject frequently explored in European art. The print is based on an original painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller, as indicated by the inscription G. Kneller Eques pinx. Smith, a master of the mezzotint process, translates the tonal qualities of Kneller's oil painting into a rich, velvety monochrome surface. The technique allows for subtle gradations of light and shadow, which define the saint's features and the folds of her drapery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaint Catherine is shown with her traditional attributes: the spiked wheel, which signifies her martyrdom, and the palm frond, representing victory over death. Her gaze is directed upwards, suggesting a moment of spiritual contemplation. The composition follows the conventions of late seventeenth-century portraiture, where the subject is placed in a theatrical, elevated setting. The dramatic lighting, descending from above, creates a sense of divine presence, while the soft focus on the background elements keeps the attention on the figure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Smith was one of the most prolific and skilled printmakers of his time in Britain. His ability to capture the texture of fabrics and the nuances of skin tone made him the preferred engraver for many contemporary portraitists. This work demonstrates his technical precision, particularly in the handling of the dark, atmospheric background against which the figure is illuminated. The print provides a clear example of how reproductive engraving functioned during the period, allowing the compositions of major painters to reach a wider audience through the medium of the print. The inclusion of the sitter's name, Mrs. Cross, in the lower margin suggests this may be a portrait of the actress Elizabeth Cross, depicted in the guise of the saint, a common practice in the theatre and art circles of the era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Smith","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58677369733455,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58677373370703,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58677373403471,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58677373436239,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58677373469007,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58677373501775,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58677373534543,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58677373567311,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58677373600079,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58677373632847,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58677373665615,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58677373698383,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Saint-Catherine_Poster_CompositorV1_1788551451338.jpg?v=1788551955"},{"product_id":"william-wycherley-john-smith","title":"William Wycherley - John Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fine mezzotint portrait of the dramatist William Wycherley, engraved by John Smith in 1703 after a painting by Sir Peter Lely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mezzotint portrait depicts the English dramatist William Wycherley. It is the work of John Smith, a master of the mezzotint process who was active in London during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The print is based on an original painting by Sir Peter Lely, a dominant figure in British portraiture during the Restoration period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition follows the conventions of the era, presenting the subject within an oval frame. Wycherley is shown with the voluminous periwig characteristic of the time, his gaze directed towards the viewer with a composed expression. The mezzotint technique allows for a range of tonal values, creating soft transitions between light and shadow that define the contours of the face and the folds of the drapery. This method of printmaking was highly favoured for its ability to replicate the painterly qualities of oil portraits, providing a tactile sense of texture in the hair and clothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow the portrait, the inscription identifies the sitter and includes the Latin phrase 'Quantum mutatus ab illo', a reference to Virgil. The inclusion of 'Etatis Suae 28' provides context regarding the age of the subject at the time of the original painting. John Smith was responsible for translating many of Lely's works into print, ensuring that the visual style of the court painter reached a wider audience. This print captures the aesthetic sensibilities of the late Stuart period, focusing on the formal presentation of the individual. The work remains a clear example of the technical proficiency achieved by British printmakers in the early eighteenth century, demonstrating the capacity of the mezzotint medium to convey depth and character through subtle gradations of ink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/sv\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John Smith","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58677476884815,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58677567553871,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58677567586639,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58677567619407,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58677567652175,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58677567684943,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58677567717711,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58677567750479,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58677567783247,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58677567816015,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58677567848783,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58677567881551,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/William-Wycherley_Poster_CompositorV1_1788551993188.jpg?v=1788552580"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/sv\/collections\/john-smith.oembed","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}