Finished state, before addition of title and publisher’s address. An oval bust-length portrait of George Byng (1663–1733) in a long wig, dark coat and neck cloth. The portrait is surrounded by a thick frame and swags of drapery. A cartouche underneath the portrait features an image of a naval engagement. The cartouche is framed at the top by the heads of three putti, who blow on the ships, at the left by a putto with a fish tail and at the right by naval paraphernalia, including a telescope, a compass and an anchor. Lettered beneath the image ‘J. Houbraken sculps. Amst. 1747.’ This portrait was engraved by Jacob Houbraken in Amsterdam in 1747 after an original painting by Godfrey Kneller, a version of which is now in the Royal Collection. Following the addition of the title and publisher’s address, the print was published in London by John and Paul Knapton as an illustration for ‘The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain Engraven By Mr. Houbraken, and Mr. Vertue, with their Lives and Characters by Thomas Birch, A.M. F.R.S.’ (London: John and Paul Knapton, 1747–52), volume 2, page 43. It was later copied in reverse by William Sharp for Frederic Hervey’s ‘The naval history of Great Britain; from the earliest Times to the Rising of the Parliament in 1779’ (London, 1779) (see PAD2746). (Updated May 2019.)
Technique includes etching.