William Faithorne

1616 (age 75)

Greater London, England, United Kingdom

On the outbreak of the Civil War Faithorne accompanied his master into the king"s service, and being made prisoner at Basing House, he was confined for some time to Aldersgate, where, however, he was permitted to follow his profession of engraver, and among other portraits did a small one of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. He was permitted to return to England in about 1650, and took a shop near Temple Bar, where, besides his work as an engraver, he carried on a large business as a print-seller. In 1680 Faithorne gave up his shop and retired to a house in Blackfriars, occupying himself chiefly in painting portraits from the life in crayons, although still occasionally engaged in engraving. He was buried in the church of Street Ann Blackfriars on 13 May 1691. Faithorne"s son, William Faithorne the younger (1656-1686), was a promising mezzotint engraver, but became idle and dissipated, and involved his father in financial difficulties.

William Faithorne

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painter printmaker

Background

Faithorne was born in London and was apprenticed to William Peake.

Career

On the outbreak of the Civil War Faithorne accompanied his master into the king"s service, and being made prisoner at Basing House, he was confined for some time to Aldersgate, where, however, he was permitted to follow his profession of engraver, and among other portraits did a small one of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. He was permitted to return to England in about 1650, and took a shop near Temple Bar, where, besides his work as an engraver, he carried on a large business as a print-seller. In 1680 Faithorne gave up his shop and retired to a house in Blackfriars, occupying himself chiefly in painting portraits from the life in crayons, although still occasionally engaged in engraving.

He was buried in the church of Street Ann Blackfriars on 13 May 1691.

Faithorne"s son, William Faithorne the younger (1656-1686), was a promising mezzotint engraver, but became idle and dissipated, and involved his father in financial difficulties.

Connections

Friend:: Robert Nanteuil

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