King George II (1683-1760) Reigned 1727-1760

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  • About the work
  • About the artist
    John Faber II was born in Amsterdam, the son of engraver John Faber (c.1660-1721). The family settled in England by 1698. He was a pupil of his father, studied at the St Martin’s Lane Academy and also joined the Rose and Crown Club of artists, which met at a Covent Garden tavern. He produced mezzotints under the name John Faber Junior, until his father’s death in 1721. In 1737 publisher George Virtue recorded an attack on him by a street robber, during which he was shot in the breast, however he later recovered. In total, he made over 500 mezzotint prints, mainly after 17th-century or contemporary artists, becoming the leading mezzotint engraver of his day. His apprentices included Andrew Miller (died 1763). He died of gout, aged about 61.
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  • Details
    Title
    King George II (1683-1760) Reigned 1727-1760
    Date
    Medium
    Mezzotint
    Acquisition
    Convent, Gibraltar (Governor's Residence) collection.
    Provenance
    Presented to the Convent, Gibraltar, by Lt. Col. William John Codrington, KCB, 1864
    GAC number
    17916