The elegant ladies and gentleman
Born in Ireland, at a young age Frye moved to London to work as an artist, including being a miniature painter and became founder partner of the Bow porcelain factory. He is renowned for being one of the finest mezzotint makers in art history. Through their large scale, intricate details and masterful use of mezzotint, his sitters light up before the viewer's eyes, creating an intimate encounter.
Our selection of mezzotint portraits by Thomas Frye (c. 1710-62) are from two series published in London in the early 1760s: Life-sized heads and Ladies, very elegantly attired in the fashion, and in the most agreeable attitudes.
Thomas Frye
Self Portrait
Mezzotint.
Size of sheet: 13 x 10.8 cm
Thomas Frye
Young man with book and candlestick.
Mezzotint.
Size of sheet: 53.6 x 38.7 cm.
Thomas Frye
Fashionable woman holding fur-lined robe across chest.
Mezzotint.
Size of sheet: 52 x 37.4 cm.
Thomas Frye
Young girl with a laced cap with black ribbon.
Mezzotint.
Size of sheet: 52.2 x 37cm.
Thomas Frye
Elizabeth Gunning, Duches of Argyll.
Mezzotint.
Size of sheet: 54.6 x 40.4 cm.
Thomas Frye
Young man holding a candlestick
Mezzotint.
Size of sheet: 51 x 36.5 cm.
Thomas Frye
Young woman wearing dark hat and holding a closed fan.
Mezzotint.
Size of sheet: 48 x 36 cm.
Thomas Frye
Fashionable woman wearing lace necklet.
Mezzotint
Size of sheet: 52.5 x 37.5 cm.