Sir Thomas Gresham (circa 1518/19-1579), Mezzotint Portrait

Code: 10402

Dimensions:

Sir Thomas Gresham (circa 1518/19-1579) 
By John Faber Sr. (circa 1660-1721)
after an unidentified 16th Century prototype.
Mezzotint and engraving, dated 1714
On laid paper 
Currently unframed 
Dimensions: 26.6 cm x 20.8 cm (sheet)

Portrait of Thomas Gresham, half-length in doublet and hose, wearing a Tudor bonnet (round cap) with a ruff at his neck and chain of office. Angles slightly to left, facing viewer, gloves in his left hand, right hand gesturing to a ship at sea, seen beyond his left shoulder.  Lettered beneath 'Thomas Gresham Miles Coll: Greshamensis. & Bursae Regalis Fundr: Lond: Ao. MDLXVI / Hanc Effigiem Dno Carolo Gresham Eqi: Aurato Summa cum Humilitate & Observantia" "D.D.D. J. Faber 1714".

The successful London merchant Thomas Gresham served Edward VI and Elizabeth I as royal agent in Antwerp. He founded the Royal Exchange (opened in 1571) and Gresham College in London (under his will written in 1575). This mezzotint, produced by Faber in 1714, was made as one of a series of portraits of the founders of notable colleges. 

John Faber the Elder was one of the leading print makers of the Late 17th-Early 18th Centuries. His series of founders of Oxford, Cambridge and other signifigant colleges was issued between 1712-1714.

Trimmed to just outside the margins. Nibbles to edges. Creases and loss to top left corner.

See BM 1853,0112.1986; NPG D25431; Royal Collection RCIN 655445 etc