Master Crewe as Henry VIIIJoshua Reynolds, John Raphael Smith1775-Apologies for the reflections caused when photographing through the glass.-This fine example is an original mezzotint( not a copy or re-printed version ) and is well preserved under glass within an ebonised period frame.These works are fairly rare with most only found within existing museum collections.-Sir Joshua Reynolds was known for his exceptional portraits of children, often commended for capturing their spirit of comedy, sympathy, innocence, and tenderness.-This portrait of John Crewe is modelled after a painting of Britain�s Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger (1497�1543). The print conveys the humour and satire intended by the original work, as the small, smiling boy mimics the mighty king.-After the painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds (c.1775, exh. R.A. 1776, no. 239, ''Portrait of boy in the character of Harry the Eighth''; Mannings, 449; Private Collection, on long-term loan to Tate Britain). John Crewe, 2nd Baron Crewe of Crewe (1772 - 1835) as a young boy, full-length, wearing fancy-dress as Henry VIII, standing with his legs apart, hands on hips. Two spaniels at his feet and a view out to parkland through a window on the right.-NOTE�Mezzotint. Second published state of the plate (originally published 10th December 1775). Following slight reworking and darker printing, engraved in italics: ''Joshua Reynolds Eques Pinxit.''; ''J. Raphael Smith fecit.''; ''Published Jan.y 23.d 1776 by John Boydell Engraver in Cheapside London.''. �An unidentified collector''s mark stamped in black ink at the lower left corner; an ''E'', ''L'' or ''F'' inside a small circle, 3mm diameter. Inscribed in graphite, lower right corner, ''507''. Inscribed in graphite on the verso: ''CBM [Charles Brinsley Marlay]''; ''21''; ''Master John Crewe''; ''J.C.S. [Chaloner Smith]. 47.III''. An impression of the Boydell published state of the plate was exhi...