[Miss Jacobs]

Method Mezzotint
Artist Jonathan Spilsbury after Sir Joshua Reynolds
Published Publish'd by J. Boydell Engraver in Cheapside, Jany. 1st, 1762 according to Act of Parlimt.
Dimensions Image 455 x 352 mm, Plate 504 x 354 mm, Sheet 507 x 355 mm
Notes Three-quarter length portrait of a woman traditionally called 'Miss Jacobs', after a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds (Mannings 995). Seated and directed to the right, she look downwards, and wears a pearl choker. Her hair is adorned with pearls, and in her lap, she holds a bunch of flowers.

The identity of 'Miss Jacobs' is yet to be identified, although it is thought she may have been a singer.

Jonathan Spilsbury (c.1737 - 1812) was a printmaker and painter. Spilsbury was born in Worcester and had a brother of John (q.v., with whom often confused). He moved to London c. 1757, where his aunt had married Jonathan Richardson. It appears that he worked from his brother's shop in Russell Court, off Drury Lane, c. 1763-69. From 1785-89, he taught at Harrow School, then in Ireland as a private tutor, returning to London 1791, p where he published prints from his address at 10 St George's Row

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) was one of the most important figures of the eighteenth century art world. He was the first President of the Royal Academy and Britain's leading portrait painter. Through a series of lectures on the Discourses on Art at the Royal Academy he defined the style later known as the Grand Manner, an idealised Classical aesthetic. He had a profound impact on the theory and practice of art and helped to raise the status of portrait painting into the realm of fine art. A flamboyant socialite, Reynolds used his social contacts to promote himself and advance his career becoming one of the most prominent portrait painters of the period.

Chaloner Smith 1883 21 ii/ii, Hamilton 111, O'Donoghue 1
Framing unmounted
Price £600.00
Stock ID 40027

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