Tillotson, Archbishop of Canterbury: An 18th C. Hand-Colored Portrait by Kneller, 1738-1742

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This is a hand-colored portrait of John Tillotson, Archbishop of Canterbury, engraved and etched by the Dutch master of portraits … Read more This is a hand-colored portrait of John Tillotson, Archbishop of Canterbury, engraved and etched by the Dutch master of portraits Jacobus Houbraken (1698-1780) after a painting by Godfrey Kneller (1646–1723). It was included in Thomas Birch's (1705-1766) publication 'The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain', which was published in London in 1738-1742.

The print is presented in an antiqued silver-colored wood frame with a dark grey outer mat and a gold-colored inner mat. The print is in very good condition. There are a few frame scratches and abrasions.

Another Houbraken portrait from the same publication of Henry, Prince of Wales is available on Chairish in an identical frame and mat. They would make an attractive display grouping. A discount is available for the purchase of both portraits.

Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1st Baronet was the leading portrait painter in England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and was court painter to English and British monarchs from Charles II to George I. His major works include a series of ten reigning European monarchs, including King Louis XIV of France; over 40 "kit-cat portraits" of members of the Kit-Cat Club; and ten "beauties" of the court of William III.

Jacobus Houbraken (1698-1780) was a Dutch engraver who devoted himself almost entirely to portraiture. He produced a published record of the lives of artists from the Dutch Golden Age. In many cases his portraits are the only likenesses left of these people. Houbraken He collaborated with the historian Thomas Birch and artist George Vertue, on the project entitled, "Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain", published in parts in London from 1743 to 1752. From 1752 to 1759 he worked with the historian Jan Wagenaar (1709–1773) on his 21 part "Vaderlandsche Historie", published by Isaac Tirion in Amsterdam. See less