467 - R. HOUSTON (*1721) after HOARE OF BATH (*1707), William Pitt the Elder, Mezzotint

R. HOUSTON (*1721) after HOARE OF BATH (*1707), William Pitt the Elder, Mezzotint Richard Houston (1721 - 1775 ) after William Hoare of Bath (1707 Eye (Suffolk) - 1792 Bath): The Right Honourable William Pitt, Portrait of the Prime Minister, 18th century, Mezzotint Technique: Mezzotint on Paper Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "W. Hoare Pinx | R. Houston Fecit". Date: 18th century Description: Very similar to the plate of the same motif by Richard Purcell. Half-length portrait in three-quarter profile, seated at a table, William Pitt the Elder wearing a simple skirt and broad cuffs, his right hand holding a letter. His gaze is directed forwards, his face framed by a heavily curled wig. The depiction conveys dignity and seriousness and emphasizes Pitt's role as a leading statesman of the 18th century. Person: 1st Earl William Pitt the Elder, Chatham (1708 London - 1778 Hayes) British politician. After being a member of the House of Commons for many years and holding various court offices, he was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1766 to 1768. Keywords: William Pitt the Elder, 18th century, Classicism, Portraits, United Kingdom, Size: Paper: 37,2 cm x 26,2 cm (14,6 x 10,3 in), Plate: 36,0 cm x 25,3 cm (14,2 x 10 in), Depiction: 32,4 cm x 25,2 cm (12,8 x 9,9 in) Condition: Defective condition. Discolored and with stains due to age. Small hole at the level of the right hand and at the upper right corner of the sheet. Loss to lower left margin. Sheet margins bumped in places.