The Mezzotint Man has dated these 18th Century Royal Mezzotints to the 18th Century.
These fine pair of companion mezzotint portraits c 1762 depict King George III and Queen Charlotte as originally designed ad vivum (from life) by the Irish artist Thomas Frye (1710/11-1762) and engraved by Richard Purcell (who also published under the pseudonym Charles Corbutt).
He wears an embroidered velvet coat trimmed with elaborate gold lace, an ermine-lined mantle, and a formal lace cravat. The Star of the Order of the Garter is visible pinned to his left breast, complemented by decorative blue silk shoulder ribbons.
Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Charlotte is depicted facing slightly left, dressed in magnificent coronation attire. Her dress features heavy ropes of pearls draped across her shoulders, loops of diamonds, an elaborate cruciform stomacher jewel at her throat, and an ermine mantle. Her hair is styled high with a fine lace veil and a small tiara.
The images of both sitters are hand coloured and placed against a dark, dramatic counter-lit background which is typical of 18th-century mezzotint printmaking. Their lower margins containing the expected formal cursive copperplate titles in Latinised English proclaiming their royal titles.
Being unable to obtain sittings from the King and Queen, Frye assiduously attended every performance in the theatre at which they were present. It is said that they were "graciously pleased to look towards him", and thus he was able to inscribe the plates: Thos. Frye, Pictor ad Vivum deliniavit.(Ralph Edwards, Apollo vol 21 Feb 1935 PP.. 90-2 Thomas Frye (1710-1760)"
This fine pair are housed in later fine quality antique ebonised Georgian style frames with gilt highlights.
Framed: 42cm x 36cm
Sheet: 26cm x 36cm
Price: £1200 (the pair)
The Mezzotint Man has dated these 18th Century Royal Mezzotints to the 18th Century.
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Pair of 18th Century Royal Mezzotint Portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte by Thomas Frye After Richard Purcell.
