W. Baillie Sc. June 17.th 1774 [after Caspar Netscher].
Mezzotint. 230 x 180mm (9 x 7"). Narrow margins.
An oval portrait of Cornelis de Witt (1623-72), with shoulder-length curling hair, moustache and a stiff, embroidered collar, swathed in a dark cloak. A prominent Dutch politician during the Stadtholderless Period of 1650-1672, he represented the States General in the field and in 1667 accompanied the fleet that attacked the English naval base at Chatham. In the summer of 1672 he came under suspicion of conspiring against Prince William III; despite the lack of evidence and the absence of a confession under torture, he was condemned to exile for life. On the day of his release from prison, an angry mob dragged him outside to be killed with his his brother. Captain William Baillie (1723-1810) was a well-known amateur engraver and etcher from Ireland. He fought at the Battle of Culloden and served in various campaigns on the continent. retiring early to hold an appointment of Commissioner of Stamps. 113 of Baillie's prints were republished by Boydell in a collected edition of 1792, re-issued in 1803.
CS: 2.i.
[Ref: 24561]  £70.00