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Maker Once Known
William Congreve Esqr. William Congreve Esqr.
1750 1750

William Congreve was a dramatist and in this hand-coloured engraving, he appears vain but witty. Congreve wears a fashionable coat and wig, and he is pointing towards something with his right index finger. This print was made after a Kneller portrait housed at the National Portrait Gallery in London dating from 1709, and highlights the similarities and differences between the two works. Kneller’s portrait of Congreve was clearly popular: not only was it reproduced in print form, it also served as the effigy on Congreve’s monument found in Westminster Abbey.

Maker Once Known
William Congreve Esqr. William Congreve Esqr.
1750 1750
engraving and hand coloured on paper Gravure et crayon de couleur sur papier
height / width: 17.50 x 11.50 cm; 6.89 x 4.53 in.
Gift of Ross H. Branston, 1994 Don de Ross H. Branston, 1994
37-076.01

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