"Portrait of G.F. Handel, from a painting by Hogarth, then in the etcher's collection; bust directed to the right, looking towards the viewer, in fur-trimmed cap and coat."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title supplied by cataloger., Artist, printmaker, and date from statement of responsibility present on later state: Etch'd by D.C. Read from a picture painted by Hogarth in his possession, 1830., First (proof?) state before letters. For a later state with sitter's name "G.F. Handel" etched beneath statement of responsibility in lower margin, see British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: 1875,0508.1664., Probably printed by Read himself at his residence in Salisbury, using a press he obtained shortly after beginning to publish his etched plates in 1828. See Oxford Dictionary of national biography, entry for David Charles Read., and Mounted to 42 x 29 cm. At bottom of mounting sheet is a manuscript presentation note by David Charles Read's son, Raphael W. Read: This portrait of the immortal Handel etched by his [i.e. Raphael Read’s] father from the original picture of Handels bosom[?] friend Hogarth, in the possession of C.D. Read, is presented to Charles Morine[?] as a token of friendship by Raphael W. Read.
