Artist: Sir Henry Raeburn (Scottish, 1756–1823) — Self-portrait
Engraver & publisher: William Walker (Scottish, 1791–1867)
Place/Date: Edinburgh, published 1 January 1826 (after a self-portrait painted c. 1815)
Medium: Mezzotint with stipple and line engraving (mixed-method intaglio); black ink on laid paper
Dimensions: image 327 × 260 mm; sheet 480 × 350 mm; laid to card support 555 × 397 mm
Sitter: Sir Henry Raeburn (1756–1823), portrait painter
Printed inscriptions:
Painted by Himself. (left) — Engraved by Willm. Walker. (right)
Centre (caps): SIR HENRY RAEBURN R.A.
Centre (small caps): PAINTER TO HIS MAJESTY FOR SCOTLAND, FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH &c. &c.
Dedication (italic script): To the Members of the Institution for the Encouragement | of the Fine Arts in Scotland, this Plate is with their approbation | respectfully Dedicated, by their | Obedient humble Servant | William Walker.
Right: Printed by McQueen.
Imprint (bottom): Published 1st Janᵧ 1826, by W. Walker, No. 3 Great King Street, Edinburgh.
Verso inscription (pencil): “Президент Академии Шотландии 1756–1823”.
Description: Bust-length portrait, frontal, head slightly left; left hand raised to the throat, right arm folded; dark, velvety ground.
Technique note: The plate combines mezzotint grounds (background and coat) with stipple and engraved work (facial modelling, linen, lettering). Institutions therefore describe impressions either as “mezzotint” or “stipple engraving”; “mezzotint with stipple and line engraving” is the most accurate formulation.
References:
– British Museum № 1850,1014.178 – Portrait of Henry Raeburn, after a self-portrait; half-length, standing, to the left, holding left hand to face, supporting elbow with right hand, looking at viewer. 1825. Stipple and engraving; 485 x 353 mm.
– National Portrait Gallery, London № NPG D39170 – Mezzotint, plate c. 477 × 348 mm; sheet 638 × 456 mm.
– National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh № SP V 206.1 – Stipple engraving, 330.2 × 260.4 mm.
Additional Information
| Collection | European prints and drawings |
|---|---|
| Type / Purpose | Print , Works on paper |
| Period | 19 AD , Mid-19th century |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Language | English |
| Media/Technique | Burin , Engraving , Laid paper , Line engraving , Mezzotint , Paper , Stipple engraving |
| Genre | Portrait |
| Subject | 19th century , British art , Engraving , Mezzotint , Portrait , Royal Society of Edinburgh , Scotland , Self-portrait , Works on paper |
| Creation / Publishing year | 1826 |
| Creation / Publishing date | 01-JAN-1826 |
| Acquisition year | 2016 |
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