William Woollett, Engraver to his Majesty

Date1784

Engraver John Keyse Sherwin

After work by Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) (1755-1825)

OriginEngland, London

MediumBlack-and-white line engraving

DimensionsOH: 18 ¼ " x OH: 16 ¼ "; Plate: H: 12" x W: 10"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2004-96

DescriptionLower engraving: "Drawn & Engrav'd by J.K. Sherwin Engraver to his Majesty & his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales./ W.M WOOLLETT Engraver to his MAJESTY./ Publish'd Aug.t 12th 1784 by J.K. Sherwin."
Label TextWilliam Woollett (1735-1785) was a landscape and portrait engraver who produced such works as the Death of Wolfe after West and a Portrait of George III after Ramsay. In 1775, he was appointed engraver to the king. We have over two dozen examples of his work in our collection.

For a complete list of Woollett's plates and further details of his career, see the Catalogue Raisonne of the engraved works of William Woollett, London, 1885, by Louis Fagan of the British Museum. Engraver shown sitting with copper plate in hand. His left hand is supporting the plate, while his right hand holds an engraving tool. Woollett is shown looking out at viewer.