Oliver Goldsmith

Drawn and probably etched by Henry William Bunbury British
Sitter Oliver Goldsmith Irish
ca. 1770
Not on view
This caricature of Goldsmith, the novelist, playwright and poet, was designed and likely etched by his friend Henry William Bunbury (an inscription by Horace Walpole next to an impression that he owned, ascribes both roles to the artist). As the younger son of Sir William Bunbury, 5th baronet, the artist's income came mostly from a position as equerry to the Duke of York. Bunbury made a few early etchings around 1770, then relied on professional etchers to transform his drawings into prints, with examples published into the nineteenth century.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Oliver Goldsmith
  • Artist: Drawn and probably etched by Henry William Bunbury (British, Mildenhall, Suffolk 1750–1811 Keswick, Cumberland)
  • Sitter: Oliver Goldsmith (Irish, Pallas, Longford ca. 1728–1774 London)
  • Date: ca. 1770
  • Medium: Etching
  • Dimensions: plate: 4 11/16 x 3 3/16 in. (11.9 x 8.1 cm)
    sheet: 5 5/16 x 3 11/16 in. (13.5 x 9.3 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.3.756-2279
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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