Richard Purcell, Mezzotint Engraver
(fl. 1746-1766)
Mezzotint Engraver
From A Dictionary of Irish Artists 1913
Was a native of Dublin and a pupil of John Brooks (q.v.). After Brooks went to London in 1746, Purcell remained in Dublin for some time, working for the print-sellers and probably assisting Andrew Miller (q.v.). Of his work done in Dublin twelve mezzotints are known, most of them signed R. Purcelle. About 1755 he went to London, attracted no doubt by the success of his fellow-pupil, McArdell. His talents should have insured him success, but unfortunately his extravagant habits and dissipated life reduced him to a state of dependence upon the print-sellers; he fell into the hands of Sayer and for him he produced most of his work, principally copies from McArdell, Watson and others engravers. Besides portraits he engraved a number of subject pieces after various painters, and some caricatures. Many of his prints are signed Chas. Corbutt, or C. Corbutt, an alias he adopted to hide his identity on account of his pecuniary embarrassments. A print of Lady Waldegrave is signed Young Corbutt, and five prints have the signature Philip Corbutt. It is probable that these prints were the work of a son, about whom nothing is recorded. A print of Lord Howe, Corbutt delint et fecit, was published in 1794, long after Purcell's death. Besides Purcell's signed works, many of the prints in the various series issued by Sayer were executed by him. He died probably in 1766.
MEZZOTINTS DONE IN DUBLIN
Michael Boyle, Archbp. of Armagh; after Zoest. R. Purcelle Fecit. Sold by William Wilkinson in Chequer Lane Dublin. A later state was published by Allen, 88 Dame Street.
Rev. John Cennick; after Jenkins. R. Purcelle Fecit 1754.
Maria, Countess of Coventry. R. Purcell Fecit. Published and sold by Thomas Silcock. Similar to print noted in Chaloner Smith, Class III, No. 46.
Oliver Cromwell; after Lely. R. Purcelle Fecit. Sold by C. Reily Frame maker in big Ship Street Dublin.
Elizabeth, Duchess of Hamilton; after Cotes. R. Purcelle fecit. Published & Sold by Thos. Silcock Print and Fan Seller in Nicholas Street opposite ye Tholsel. Similar to print by Houston, C. S., No. 59.
Miss Hudson; after T. Hudson. R. P. Dublin. Printed and Sold by Michael Hanbury Engraver Georges-Lane. As Hanbury removed to Skinner Row in 1763 this print must have been published not later than that date.
William King, Archbp. of Dublin; after C. Jervas. R. Purcelle fecit 1753. Sold at Silcock's Print Shop in Nicholas Street. Similar to a print by Faber.
Samuel Madden; after Robert Hunter. Richard Purcell Sculpsit. Published and Sold by William Wilkinson in Chequer Lane, Dublin. A later state was published by Allen, Dame Street.
Lawrence Richardson; after R. West. R. Purcelle Fecit 1748. Sold by Pat Monaghan in Bridge Street Dublin.
William III; after Kneller. R. Purcelle fecit. Dublin printed and sold by D. Kehoe. Similar to a print by Ford.
William III and Frederick, Duke of Schomberg; after Kneller. R. Purcelle Fecit, 1750. Sold by John Wilkins in Big Ship Street. Price 3s. 2d. Similar to print by Ford.
William III at the Siege of Namur; after Wyck. R. Purcelle fecit, 1748. Sold by William Wilkinson at his Picture Shop in Chequer Lane Dublin. Similar to print bv Faber.
William III at the Boyne. R. Purcelle fecit.
MEZZOTINTS DONE IN LONDON
Sir Jeffrey Amherst; after Reynolds, R.P. Similar to a print by J. Watson.
Princess Augusta; after Reynolds, Philip Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Mrs. Bastard; after Reynolds. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar, in reverse, to print by McArdell.
Miss Helena Beatson; after C. Read. Corbutt fecit. Copy of print by Houston.
Elizabeth, Countess of Berkeley; after Reynolds. Rd. Purcell fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Genl. William Blakeney; after G. Chalmers. R. Purcell Fecit. Published in 1756. Similar to print by McArdell.
Mrs. Bonfoy, "Lucinda"; after Reynolds. Purcel fecit. Similar to print by McArdell, but the background different.
Mrs. Bonfoy, "Lucinda"; a smaller plate. C. Corbutt fecit.
Edward Boscawen; after Ramsay. R. Purcell Delin et Fecit.
Mrs. Brooks. C. Corbett fecit. Similar to print by Spooner.
Mrs. Brooks, C. Corbutt fecit. A smaller plate.
Charles, Prince of Brunswick; after Qiesenis. Philip Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
John, Earl of Bute; after Ramsay. Richard Purcell Fecit.
Lady Mary Campbell (Mary Lady Coke, widow of Edward, Viscount Coke, and daughter of the Duke of Argyll); after Ramsay. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Caroline Matilda, Queen of Denmark; after Cotes. Similar to print by J. Watson.
Lady Almeria Carpenter; after Reynolds. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by J. Watson.
Mrs. Chambers; after Reynolds. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar, in reverse, to print by McArdell.
Children of Charles I; after Van Dyck. Purcell fecit.
Queen Charlotte; after Frye. R.P. Similar to print by Frye.
Mrs. Cholmondeley; after Reynolds. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by J. Watson.
Robert, Lord Clive; after Gainsborough. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Lady Mary Coke.—See Campbell.
Lady Anne Dawson; after Reynolds. R. Purcelle sculpsit. A second state is inscribed Cynthia. Purcell fecit.
Lady Anne Dawson; a smaller plate. C. Corbutt fecit.
Miss Anne Day; after Reynolds. R. Purcelle fecit. Similar to print by McArdell. A later state was published when she became Lady Fenhoulet, and is so inscribed.
Miss Drummond; after Ramsay. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar, in reverse, to print by J. Watson.
Lady Erskine; after Ramsay. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar, in reverse, to print by J. Watson.
Frances, Countess of Essex; after Reynolds. Purcell Fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Madame Favart—"Spilletta"; after Vanloo. Corbut fecit. Similar, in reverse, to line engraving by Daulld. (See note as to personage represented: Chaloner Smith, p. 1015).
Lady Fenhoulet.—See Ann Day.
Kitty Fisher; after Reynolds. Richd. Purcel Fecit. Similar to print by Houston.
Miss Fordyce; after Reynolds. Philip Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by J. Watson.
Miss Fordyce. Similar to foregoing, but a smaller plate. Ph. Corbutt fecit.
Arthur Forrest; after Van Diest. R. Purcell Fecit.
David Garrick; after Reynolds. Chas. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by Fisher.
George III; after Meyer. Richd. Purcil Fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
George III; after T. Frye. A reduced copy of one of Pether's small mezzotints. R. Purcell fecit. Not described by Chaloner Smith.
John, Marquess of Granby; after Reynolds. Richd. Pursel fec. 1760. Similar to print by Houston.
John, Marquess of Granby. Similar to foregoing, but details varied. R. Purcell fecit.
Miss Greenway; after Reynolds. R. P. Similar to print by J. Watson. A later state has C. Corbutt fecit.
Miss Greville and her brother; after Reynolds. R. Corbutt fecit. Similar to portion of print by McArdell.
Mrs. Hale; after Reynolds. Corbutt fecit. Similar to portion of print by McArdell.
Mrs. Hale. Corbutt fecit. Similar to foregoing, but a smaller plate.
Rev. James Hervey; after J. M. Williams. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by Faber.
Mrs. Horneck; after Reynolds. R. Purcell fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Richard, Lord Howe. Corbutt delint et fecit. Published in 1794.
Sir William Howe. Corbutt delint et fecit. Published 1777.
Miss Hunter; after Wilson. Chas. Corbutt fecit.
B. G. J. Jackson; after R. Donoldson. R. Purcell fecit.
Lady Charlotte Johnston; after Reynolds. Corbutt sculpt. Similar to print by J. Watson.
Rev. Thomas Jones; after M. Jenkin. R. Purcell fecit. Similar to print by Houston.
Rev. Thomas Jones. R. Purcell fecit. Similar, in reverse, to foregoing, but with variations.
Mrs. Lascelles and child; after Reynolds. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by J, Watson.
Miss Lascelles; after Cotes. R. (reversed) P. Similar, in reverse, to print by J. Watson. A later state has C. Corbutt fecit.
Stringer Lawrence; after Reynolds. R. Purcell Fecit. Similar to print by Houston.
Henry Bilson Legge and William Pitt, seated together. This plate was afterwards cut, leaving only the portrait of Legge, and the name "Johson" substituted for "Purcell."
Lady George Lennox; after Ramsay. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Miss Lewis; after Liotard. R. Purcell Fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Katherine, Countess of Lincoln; after Hoare. R. Purcell fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Caroline, Duchess of Marlborough; after Reynolds. R. Purcell Fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Madame de Mouchy (? Madame de Pompadour); after Coypel. R. Purcell Fecit. An excellent copy of an engraving by Surugue.
Fanny Murray; after H. Morland. Corbutt Fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Miss Muse; after Reynolds. P. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by Faber.
Countess of Northumberland; after Lely. Phil. Corbutt fecit. A late state, retouched, of Beckett's plate.
Arthur Onslow; after H. Hysing. R. Purcell Fecit. Similar to print by Faber.
Pascal Paoli. R. Purcel fecit. Done from an Original. Printed at Corte, by Constantinus.
Laetitia Pilkington; after N. Hone. Rd. Purcell fecit. This print forms the frontispiece to "The Real Story of John Carteret Pilkington," 4to, published in London in 1760.
Penelope Pitt; after C. Read. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by Houston.
William Pitt, Earl of Chatham; after W. Hoare. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by Houston.
Harriet Powell; after C. Read. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by Houston.
William Romaine; after Cotes. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by Houston.
William Romaine; a small plate similar to foregoing.
J. J. Rousseau; after Ramsay. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar, in reverse, to print by Martin.
Mrs. Sandys; after Cotes. Corbutt fecit. Similar, but with features somewhat different, to print by McArdell.
Burgomaster Six; after Rembrandt. R. Purcell fecit.
Georgiana, Countess Spencer and daughter; after Reynolds. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by J. Watson.
Lady Stanhope; after Reynolds. Corbutt fecit. Similar to portion of print by J. Watson.
Miss Trimmer; after C. Read. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by J. Watson.
Voltaire; after L. Sen. Corbett fect. Similar to print by Houston.
Maria, Countess Waldegrave; after Reynolds. Young Corbut fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Maria, Countess Waldegrave and daughter; after Reynolds. C. Gorbutt fect. Similar, in reverse, to print by J. Watson.
John Wilkes; after P. Pine. Patricius pine humanarum Figuraram pictor Pinxit. Purcell nec non fecit. Published in 1764.
General James Wolfe; after Schaak, similar to print by Houston.
General James Wolfe. F. Turin pinxt. R. Purcell fecit. This is Faber's plate of Louis Dejean, after Mercier, very extensively altered.
Correspondence, a Lady writing; after Mercier. C. Corbutt Fecit.
The Seamstress; after Mercier. C. Corbutt fecit.
The Sleeping Maid; after Mercier. C. Corbutt fecit.
Girl with a Candle; after H. Morland. Purcell fecit.
A Chinese Lady; after Ramsay. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar in reverse to print by McArdell.
A Russian Lady, said to be Marshal Keith's mistress; after Ramsay. C. Corbutt fecit. Similar to print by McArdell.
Venetian Lady at a Masquerade; after Rosalba. C. Corbutt Fecit.
A Lady; after Titian. Done from an Original Picture by Titians, by Chas. Corbutt.
A Lady. Similar, in reverse, but without necklace.
A Lady; after Van der Myn. Rd. Purcell fecit. Similar to print by McArdell, C.S. 199. This print is often called, but erroneously, a portrait of Peg Woffington.
A Lady. Another plate, in reverse, from same picture, but to waist only. Background and details different and face slightly varied. C. Corbutt fecit.
Miss Eyebright; after G. Willison. Chas. Corbutt fecit.
Cynthia.—See "Lady Anne Dawson."
The Seasons; after Mercier. Four plates: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Richd. Purcel Fecit.
The Seasons; after R. Pyle. Four plates. Chas. Corbutt Fecit.
Peace and Plenty; after R. Pyle.
Rural Life; after Mercier.
A Ballad Singer; after Morland.
The Sleeping Congregation; after Hogarth.
The Young Officer's Wife; after Rembrandt.
A Jewess; after Rembrandt.
The Knitting Girl; after G. Dou.
The Housewife; after G. Dou.
La Jeune Sultane; after Legendre.
Our Saviour; after picture in the Bodleian by Rembrandt.
The Philosopher of Bacchus, a man with a pipe and tumbler; after Van Herp.
The Humourist, or the Piping Girl; after J. Molenaer. Philip Corbut fecit. Similar to McArdell's "Happy Peasant Girl."
J. S. Liotard. Etching. Purcell Fecit 1766. The plate was afterwards reduced and entitled "Rembrandt Van Ryn."
Conversation Espagnole; after Vanloo. Line engraving. C. Corbutt.