Background
He was born in Berlin of French extraction, the son of a Huguenot tapestry-worker
He was born in Berlin of French extraction, the son of a Huguenot tapestry-worker
He studied painting at the Akademie der Wissenschaften of Berlin and later under Antoine Pesne, who had arrived in Berlin in 1710.
Later, he traveled in Italy and France before arriving in London—"recommended by the Court at Hannover"—probably in 1716. He was appointed principal painter and librarian to the Prince and Princess of Wales at their independent establishment in Leicester Fields, and while he was in favor he painted various portraits of the royals, and no doubt many of the nobility and gentry. This last (entitled Playing Soldiers) was a typical piece of Mercier"s composition, the children being made the subject of a spirited, if somewhat childish, allegory in their game of play.
Faber also engraved six plates of "Rural Life" after Mercier, and several other subjects of his have survived him.
Mercier became involved in a scandal of sorts and he lost favor. He left London around 1740 and settled in York, where he practiced portrait painting for over ten years, before returning to London in 1751.
In 1752, Mercier went to Portugal at the request of several English merchants. He did not long remain there, however, but came back to London, where he died in 1760.