Lot 528: Marcellus (the Younger) Laroon (British, 1679-1774) Portrait of James Macardell (1710-1765)

Portrait of James Macardell (1710-1765)
oil on canvas
60 x 37cm (23 5/8 x 14 9/16in).

James Macardell was one of the foremost mezzotint engravers of the age. Dublin born he came to London in 1746 aged 21 and set up his print business in Covent Garden. He quickly became a favourite of both Kneller and Reynolds, who said of him "By this man I shall be immortalised". He is buried in Hampstead Churchyard where is gravestone reads "Here lyeth the body of Mr James Macardell, Mezzotint engraver of London, who departed this life on 1st June, 1756, aged 37 years. A native of Ireland and the most eminent in his art in his time".

Marcellus Laroon was a painter of conversation pieces, stage scenes and portraits. This work appears to be a version of the portrait by Laroon illustrated in Robert Raines, Marcellus Laroon, Yale, 1967 p.111 cat.8, plate 48