King William.
J. Smith ex. [faintly scratched lower left.] [c.1700.]
Mezzotint, 225 x 175mm. 9 x 7". Lower left margin chipped at corner. Glue residue upper left.
King William III (1650 - 1702), wearing wig, cravat, robes, chain with George and coat of arms; his right hand placed on a crown, with an orb alongside it. The posthumous son of the Stadholder William II of Holland and Mary, daughter of Charles I, William married his cousin Mary, daughter of James II and Anne Hyde in 1677. In 1688 he accepted an invitation by a group of leading statesmen to land in Britain with an armed force; after the flight of James II he was crowned king, jointly with his wife, in 1689. William's life-long devotion to the fight against French expansionism benefited from additional resources after he became King. Although he lacked warmth and physical presence he showed considerable political, diplomatic and military ability. First published by the famous early mezzotinter and re-publisher of older plates John Smith (1652 - 1743); this is a later impression on wove paper.
Chaloner Smith: 121 (Engraver not ascertained: Class I).
[Ref: 14705] £160.00
Mezzotint, 225 x 175mm. 9 x 7". Lower left margin chipped at corner. Glue residue upper left.
King William III (1650 - 1702), wearing wig, cravat, robes, chain with George and coat of arms; his right hand placed on a crown, with an orb alongside it. The posthumous son of the Stadholder William II of Holland and Mary, daughter of Charles I, William married his cousin Mary, daughter of James II and Anne Hyde in 1677. In 1688 he accepted an invitation by a group of leading statesmen to land in Britain with an armed force; after the flight of James II he was crowned king, jointly with his wife, in 1689. William's life-long devotion to the fight against French expansionism benefited from additional resources after he became King. Although he lacked warmth and physical presence he showed considerable political, diplomatic and military ability. First published by the famous early mezzotinter and re-publisher of older plates John Smith (1652 - 1743); this is a later impression on wove paper.
Chaloner Smith: 121 (Engraver not ascertained: Class I).
[Ref: 14705] £160.00