| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | George Vertue after John Riley |
| Published | London, 1718 |
| Dimensions | Image 238 x 149 mm, Plate 248 x 157 mm, Sheet 267 x 178 mm |
| Notes |
A half length portrait of John Freke looking to the right, looking at viewer; wearing long curled wig, cloak, and lace cravat; in oval frame on pedestal with arms. John Freke (d.1717) surgeon, and father of the surgeon John Freke (1688-1756) George Vertue (1684-1756) was an antiquary and engraver. He was born in the parish of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Vertue was apprenticed to a silver engraver and later to the Flemish engraver Michael Vandergucht. His early work includes plates after Kneller, whose academy he attended from 1711. Vertue had a deep interest in antiquarian research, and much of his work was devoted to this subject. He also served as the official engraver to the Society of Antiquaries (1717-56). From 1713 onwards, Vertue dedicated his research to the details of the history of British art, which resulted in an extensive collection of notebooks now in the British Library. The contents of which were the basis of Horace Walpole's 1762 'Anecdotes of Painting'. There are approximately five hundred portraits attributed to Vertue, and an equivalent number of published plates which were devoted to antiquarian subjects. John Riley (1646 - 1691) British portrait painter O'Donoghue 1, Alexander 275 |
| Framing | mounted |
| Price | £80.00 |
| Stock ID | 37839 |