Elderly man, in left profile, wearing a black velvet hat and holding a pair of spectacles in his right hand
Thomas Frye (c.1710 - 1762)
Category
Art / Prints
Date
1760
Materials
Paper, wood, glass
Measurements
610 x 470 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Mompesson House, Wiltshire
NT 723979.1
Summary
Print, mezzotint engraving, Elderly man, in left profile, wearing a black velvet hat and holding a pair of spectacles in his right hand by Thomas Frye (Dublin 1710 – London 1762) - One of six Thomas Frye mezzotints. Old man, in profile to left. Wearing black velvet cap and holding spectacles in right hand. Under, scratched, 'Thos Frye Pictor, Invenit and Sculpsit, dotted, Sold at the Golden Head and Red Lamp, near the corner of Greville Street, in Hatton Garden.' In a black frame with internal gilded border. Number 9 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