Old woman in left profile, wearing a cap with a dark kerchief across it, with both her hands leaning on a cane.
Thomas Frye (c.1710 - 1762)
Category
Art / Prints
Date
1762
Materials
Paper, wood, glass
Measurements
622 x 470 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Mompesson House, Wiltshire
NT 723978.6
Summary
Print, mezzotint engraving, A lady looking to the left, wearing lace, ribbon, and jewels, and an ermine-lined robe by Thomas Frye (Dublin 1710 – London 1762) - One of seven Thomas Fry mezzotints. Lady directed to and facing nearly to front, looking slightly to right. Wearing headdress of lace and flowers with pearls, circular earrings, and necklace with several stringls of pearls. Her left hand holding robe across. At bottom, scratched, 'T. Frye Invt and Sculpt published Feb; 28.1762'. In a black frame with gilded rococo lead work in the angles. Number 25 in 'British Mezzotints'. Extract from 'British Mezzotints' relating to those at Mompesson House (NT reference in brackets). 'These prints were mentioned as portraits, but the personages are not stated, (with the exception of Thomas Frye (MHS/D/41d), and names have been guessed for several without any really sound reason. From examination, it would seem likely that the first set of twelve (including NT mezzotints MHS/D/40g and MHS/D/41a-f) were drawn from persons sitting as models, probably some of the painter's own family and acquaintances, and that the second set of six (NT mezzotints MHS/D/40 a-f) were elaborated afterwards from sketches taken at the theatre, or perhaps from recollection only; but however this may be, their great artistic merit must be admitted.'
Makers and roles
Thomas Frye (c.1710 - 1762), artist