SIR ISAAC NEWTON

(NEWTON-MEZZOTINT PRINT)  MACARDEL, James.  SIR ISAAC NEWTON.

(London): 1760. 4to. Mezzotint print (11 1/2 x 8 inches).

Fine mezzotint portrait, "drawn and scraped MDCCLX by James MacArdel from an original portrait painted by Enoch Seeman now in the possession of Thomas Hollis."  James MacArdel (1729?-1765) was an Irish engraver of mezzotints who moved to London in 1746 where he opened a print shop at the Golden Head at Covent Garden in 1753.  His print of Isaac Newton was taken from a portrait done in 1726 by Enoch Seeman (circa 1694-1744), a Danzig born artist who moved to London with his father in 1704.  There is also a quotation in French on the scientific achivements of the English: "Les Italiens ces peuples ingenieux ont craint de penser les Francais n'ont ne leur a point coupe les ailes...encore," with the reference "Ode sur la mort de Madame de Bareith avec une lettre par Mon. de Voltaire."  At the bottom of the engraving and its caption is the representation of a soft cap -- thought to be a symbol of the republican ideas of Mr. Hollis owner of the Newton portrait.  Thomas Hollis (1720-1774) was an English political philosopher and author whose main contribution to public service was protecting and advancing English liberty by circulating appropriate books on government.  At his death he left a large collection of books to Harvard College.  Very good.

 

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