Andrew Miller, Mezzotint Engraver
(d. 1763)
Mezzotint Engraver
From A Dictionary of Irish Artists 1913
Was born in London, of Scottish parentage. He was a pupil of John Faber (see "Esdall's Newsletter," 16th October, 1769), and practised as a mezzotint engraver in London for a few years, the prints done by him there ranging in date from 1737 to 1741. His address was "at the Coffin, the Upper end of Wytch Street, near the New church in the Strand." In 1741 he came to Dublin and became associated with John Brooks (q.v.), with whom he worked for some time. Brooks had learned mezzotinting from Faber in London, and on his return to Dublin started as a mezzotint engraver and publisher in Cork Hill. Several of the early plates issued by him were probably the work of Miller, from whom, rather than Brooks, McArdell, Houston and the other pupils in Brooks's studio, who afterwards became famous, learned their art. About 1743 Miller parted company with Brooks, and established himself at "the Golden Head, the upper end of Fleet Street, near Lazar's Hill," and from there he, in conjunction with Paul Smith the print-seller,* issued a "Proposal for engraving in Mezzotint and Printing by Subscription twelve heads done from the best original Paintings and prints." These mezzotints, published in the following year, 1744, were "Queen Elizabeth," "John Hampden," "Archbishop Ussher," "John Milton," "Sir Edward Coke," "Robert Boyle," "Archbishop Tillotson," "The Duke of Schomberg," and "Sir Isaac Newton," all taken from the prints by Houbraken or Vertue in Birch's "Lives"; and "William III," "George II," and the "Duke of Marlborough." Some of these prints are amongst the best of Miller's work. He had previously, in 1743, scraped a plate of "Dean Swift" and one of "Archbishop King," both published by John Orpin and Paul Smith, in Crane Lane. In an advertisement referring to these prints he is styled "Andrew Miller from London."
A portrait of "James Annesley" was published in the same year by J. Torbuck, at the Bear in Skinner Row. In 1744 Miller moved to Hog Hill, near the Round Church, where he began to publish his own prints, although a few were published by others after that date—a half-length of "Swift," published by George Faulkner in 1744, "Cromwell and Lambert," by M. Ford, in 1746, and "Charles Tottenham," by Silcock, in 1750. Miller and Ford (q.v.), when the latter took to mezzotinting himself, became rivals, each endeavouring to forestall the other in the publication of portraits of prominent persons; a rivalry which culminated in 1747-8 in a quarrel concerning the merits of their plates of Lord Boyne. Ford had a paragraph inserted in a Dublin newspaper stating that the two prints and the original painting had been placed before a meeting of the Dublin Society for judgment as to their merits, and that the decision was unanimously in favour of Ford's print. Miller denied the accuracy of the statement, and said that no such decision had been come to.
Miller was a sympathiser with Charles Lucas, and was the author of a certain "scandalous and seditious paragraph" in "Esdall's Newsletter," for which he was brought before the House of Commons on the 4th December, 1749, and was ordered to be committed a close prisoner to Newgate. For some years before his death Miller, who is said to have been of somewhat irregular habits and given to drink, does not appear to have engraved any plates; his latest dated print being that of "The Farmer" (Henry Brooke), published in 1756, one of his worst productions. He died in his house in Hog Hill on the 5th September, 1763, and was buried on the 8th in St. Andrew's church. His wife Anne, by whom he had several children, survived him until 1767.
MEZZOTINTS DONE IN LONDON
Joseph Baudin; after C. Schruder, 1738.
Frederick, Prince of Wales; after J. Richardson, 1738.
Henry Harmood; after T. Stokes.
John Harper; after G. White, 1739.
Lebeck; after Sir G. Kneller, 1739.
Joe Miller; after C. Stoppelaer, 1739.
Sir John Salter; after J. Richardson, 1740.
J. de G. Sarmento; after H. Stevens, 1737.
W. Shakespeare; after Scheemakers, 1741.
Clementina Stuart; after Luttrell, 1737.
Prince James Stuart; 1737.
George Taylor, prize-fighter. Sold by Andrew Miller at the Coffin the upper end of Wytch Street near the New Church in the Strand.
Mr. Turbutt; after T. Bisse.
John Warburton; after Van de Gucht.
Flora, or Spring; after Rosalba; 1741.
The Complaisant Lover; after Courtin.
The Magnificent Lover; after Courtin.
Isabella Clara Eugenia; after Rubens.
A Nude Female Figure; after P. Veronese.
MEZZOTINTS DONE IN DUBLIN
James Annesley; after W. Lawrence. "This day is published, price a British Shilling, a Metzotinto Print of the Hon. James Annesley, Esq., done by Andrew Miller from the original picture painted by Mr. Lawrence, ....... sold by J. Torbuck at the Bear in Skinner Row and the Printsellers and Booksellers of Dublin. N.B., this is no Head"—("Faulkner's Journal," March, 1743).
William Blakeney; after T. Hudson. Similar to Faber's print, C.S. No. 3.
Count Bonneval; after C. Schruder, 1744.
Robert Boyle; after J. Kersseboom, 1744. Similar, in reverse, to Vertue's plate in Birch's "Lives."
Gustavus, Viscount Boyne; after Hogarth, 1747.
"The Farmer," i.e., William Brooke after J. Lewis, 1756.
William Burkitt, M.A. See Rev. John Lawson.
Phillip, Earl of Chesterfield; after W. Hoare, 1746. Similar to print by Simon.
Phillip, Earl of Chesterfield. A small bust in oval, on top of ornamental border engraved by S. Wheatley, enclosing speech delivered by the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of Chesterfield, to the Irish Houses of Parliament, 8th October, 1745. The portrait is inscribed Miller fecit. In centre at the bottom, To the Honourable William Bristow Esqr. one of the Commissioners of His Majesty's Revenue in Ireland. This Plate is most Humbly inscribed by his most obedient Servant Halhead Garland. On one side is a shield with the arms of Lord Chesterfield; on the other a shield with arms of Bristow. Underneath is: Sold by Andrew Miller on Hog Hill, H. Garland in Essex Street and Samll. Wheatley in Salutation Alley opposite Crane Lane Wheatley sculpt. In a later state of this plate the portrait is inscribed Houston fecit; the dedication reads: To all true Patriots and Friends to Liberty This Plate is most humbly Inscrib'd by Their most obedt. humble Servt. the Proprietor. The Arms of Bristow are replaced by a figure of Hibernia.
Charles Cobbe, Archbp. of Dublin; after F. Bindon. Three-quarter length; published by M. Ford, 1746.
Charles Cobbe, Archbp. of Dublin. Whole length. No lettered impression known; but the print is assigned to Miller by Chaloner Smith. An impression is in the National Gallery of Ireland.
Sir Edward Coke, 1744. Similar, in reverse, to print in Birch's "Lives."
Oliver Cromwell and General Lambert. Published by M. Ford in 1745.
William, Duke of Cumberland; after T. Hudson. Published by M.Ford, 1746.
William, Duke of Cumberland; after Murry.
Denis Daly of Raford; after J. Barrett.
Prince Edward; after R. Wilson, 1752.
Queen Elizabeth; after Isaac Oliver, 1744. Similar to print by Vertue.
David Garrick as Richard III; after W. Hogarth, 1746.
David Garrick. Engraving, not mezzotint; in ornamental border, inscribed Mr. David Garrick. Arthur Pond pinxit London 1745. Sold by Andrew Miller on Hog Hill near the Round Church. The only example of this print which has been met with is in the possession of Sir Frederick Shaw, Bart., Bushy Park, Terenure, Co. Dublin.
George II; after Highmore, 1744. Not described by Chaloner Smith.
George II, 1744. Similar to print by Faber.
George, Prince of Wales; after R. Wilson, 1752. Similar to print by Faber.
John, Marquess of Granby. Sold by Thomas Silcock at his Print-Shop in Skinner Row, Dublin, 1760. Similar to a print by Houston and probably by Miller.
Maria Gunning; after Pope Stevens. In "Esdall's Newsletter" 30th May, 1750, is this advertisement: "This day is published by Andrew Miller, Engraver, on Hog Hill, and Thomas Silcock in Nicholas Street, opposite the Tholsel (price a British Shilling), a Half Length Mezzotinto Print of Miss Gunning, from the original Picture painted by Mr. Pope Stevens, and is the only painting she sat for. As there is at this time several spurious prints doing under the name of Miss Gunning, this is to assure the public that she declar'd at my Shop that she sat for no other picture but the above. Andrew Miller." This print is not mentioned by Chaloner Smith, and has not been met with.
Elizabeth Gunning; after F. Cotes. This print, though inscribed Miller fecit, is really by M. Ford, whose name appears on an earlier state.
John Hampden; 1744. Similar, in reverse, to print by Houbraken in Birch's " Lives."
Geo. Fredk. Handel; after T. Hudson. Andrew Miller Fecit Dublin 1749. Similar to Faber's print.
Sir Edward Hawke; after G. Knapton. Similar to print by J. McArdell. It does not bear Miller's name as engraver, but is inscribed: Sold by Andrew Miller on Hog Hill near the Round Church.
Josiah Hort, Archbp. of Tuam; after Wills, 1752.
Colonel Charles Jeffries; after Van Diest. Mentioned in Evans' catalogue, but not by Chaloner Smith. It has not been met with.
William King, Archbp. of Dublin; after C. Jervas. Published by John Orpin and Paul Smith in Crane Lane, who announced its publication in "Faulkner's Journal" in July, 1743, stating that it was "engraved by Andrew Miller, from London," and that it was done from an original picture in the possession of Sir Capel Molyneux, Bart.
Rev. John Lawson, D.D., Librarian of Trinity College, Dublin. This plate was afterwards altered to William Burkitt, M.A.
Charles Lucas. Three-quarter length, Wm. Jones Pinxit.
Charles Lucas. Whole length.
John, Duke of Marlborough; after Kneller, 1744. Similar to print by P. Van Gunst.
Mary, Queen of Scots. Sold by John Orpin in Crane Lane Dublin. Bears no engraver's name, but is no doubt by Miller.
Henry Maule, Bishop of Meath; after A. Lee, 1747.
John Milton, 1744. Similar, in reverse, to print by Houbraken in Birch's "Lives."
Cornelius Nary, Parish Priest of St. Michan's. Brooks also engraved this personage, but from a different picture.
Robert, Lord Newport; after Stevens, 1747.
Sir Isaac Newton. Similar in, reverse, to print by Houbraken in Birch's "Lives."
William Charles, Prince of Orange; after Van Dyck, 1747.
Gervis Parker; after A. Lee, 1745.
Rev. Patrick Quin; after J. Latham. Advertised in "Esdall's Newsletter," 1755, No. 1072.
Hercules Langford Rowley; after Bindon. Not known to Chaloner Smith, but recorded by him on the authority of Bromley. The print is not in the British Museum, and has not been met with.
Frederick, Duke of Schomberg; after Kneller, 1744. Similar, in reverse, to print by Houbraken in Birch's "Lives."
Thomas Sowden, as Caled in the "Siege of Damascus"; after J. Lewis, 1754.
Eaton Stannard; after J. Latham, 1747. Half length; dedicated to the Lord Mayor, aldermen, etc., of Dublin. Published by Silcock.
Eaton Stannard; after J. Latham. Whole length.
Jonathan Swift; after F. Bindon. Whole length, 1743.
Jonathan Swift; after F. Bindon. Half length, 1744. Both these prints are from the picture in the Deanery of St. Patrick's painted by Bindon in 1739. The first was published by J. Orpin and P. Smith, who announced it in July, 1743. The second was published by George Faulkner, who, in an advertisement, 6th October, 1744, says, "Price 13d.; glazed and framed plain, 2s. 8d.; do. half p. gilt, 3s. 3d. N.B. This Metzotinto is universally allowed by the Dean's friends and the best judges to be the most exact Likeness of any that hath ever yet been published."
John Tillotson, Archbp. of Canterbury; after Kneller, 1774. Similar, in reverse, to print by Houbraken in Birch's "Lives."
Charles Tottenham, M.P.; after Stevens. Painted in 1749, engraved in 1750. Advertised in "Esdall's Newsletter," May 30, 1750, as "finished and ready to be delivered to the subscribers," by Silcock at his "Print and Fan shop at the Fan and Crown opposite the Tholsel in Nicholas Street."
James Ussher, Archbp. of Armagh; after Lely, 1744. Similar, in reverse, to print by Houbraken in Birch's "Lives."
Rev. George Walker; whole length. Publication announced in "Esdall's Newsletter," 1755, No. 1072.
George Whitfield; after M. Jenkin, 1751. This plate was several times republished in London with alterations.
William III; after Kneller, 1744.
William III; after Kneller, 1746.
Margaret Woffington; after Eccard, 1745.
Diana; after F. Stevens, 1750. Chaloner Smith says that this is similar to a print of Lady Boyd by McArdell, the face differing.
NOTE: * He was associated with John Orpin, and died in Dorset Street in May, 1774.