Isaac Beckett

Peter Lely, engraving by Beckett and John Smith after a self-portrait, c. 1684.

Isaac Beckett (1653 – 1719) was an English mezzotint engraver, one of the first practitioners of the art in the country.

Life and work Beckett was born in Kent in 1653, and apprenticed to a calico printer in London, but, after meeting Edward Luttrell, he decided to learn the new art of engraving in mezzotint. Hearing that one John Lloyd was acquainted with the process, and being obliged through an intrigue to absent himself from his business, Beckett offered his services to him, and entered into articles to work for him. Before long, however, he again fell into trouble, and was assisted by Luttrell, with whom he became associated in the development of the art.

Engraved Portraits His engraved portraits include: Sir Godfrey Kneller (from a picture by Kneller). Charles II (after Kneller). James, Duke of York (after the same). Henry, Duke of Grafton (after T. Hawker). The Duchess of Grafton; after Wissing. Charles Melford (after the same). Sir Peter Lely ("Se ipse pinx" - see illustration above) George, Prince of Denmark (after Riley). Henry Compton, Bishop of London (after the same). Christopher, Earl of Albemarle (after Murray). George, Duke of Buckingham (after Verhelst). John Maitland, Duke of Lauderdale (after Riley). Henry, Duke of Norfolk. Thomas Cartwright, Bishop of Chester . Lady Williams (full length). Adrian Beverland (drawn from a statue).

Beckett's own portrait was engraved by his pupil John Smith and others.

Engraved Subjects The Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, with the Infant Jesus asleep, with two Angels (painter unnamed). Time cutting the Wings of Love. Cupid and Psyche (after Alessandro Turchi). A Landscape, with a Shepherd and Shepherdess. The Dutch Schoolmaster (after Heemskerk). The Village Barber Surgeon (after J. Lingelbach).