John Payne (engraver)
Encyclopedia
John Payne was an English engraver, who was one of the earliest exponents of the art of engraving
in England. His best work was the finest produced by a native-born engraver working during the reign of Charles I
.
, and Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford
—are printed in frames engraved by William de Pass, and it is an indication that early on in his carer that Payne cooperated with William de Passe on some projects.
George Vertue
wrote on the hearsay of John Sturt, another engraver, that Payne was a wastrel who loved drink more than work and was was not reliable. For example he alleges Payne had neglected to take up an invitation to attend the court of Charles I where he was to be offered the position of royal engraver. His irregular way of life resulted in his early death through "indigent circumstances". This must have been about 1647, as Thomas Rawlins in his Calanthe, published in 1648, has an epitaph on Payne, as "lately deceased".
at Deptford in 1637. John Evelyn
in his Sculptura extols this engraving, as well as Payne's portraits of Dr. Alabaster, Sir Benjamin Rudyerd
, and others. Among other portraits engraved by Payne were those of Bishop Joseph Hall
, Bishop Lancelot Andrews, Sir Edward Coke
, Hobson the Carrier, Sir James Ley
, Christian of Brunswick, &c., and among the title-pages those to The Works of John Boys, D.D., 1629, and to Gerarde's Herball, 1633.
Antony Gerard wrote Payne's biography in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and stated in it that "Payne's fifty-three known plates, which bear dates between 1620 and 1639, and most of which are portrait frontispieces or title-plates to books, vary widely in quality. The worst are no better than those of many contemporaries, but the best, such as the portrait of Sir Benjamin Rudyerd of 1632, are outstanding". The National Portrait Gallery
has four portraits of Payne, and attributes 55 works in their collection to him although some are "possibly by John Payne".
Engraving
Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
in England. His best work was the finest produced by a native-born engraver working during the reign of Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
.
Biography
Payne appears to have learnt engraving from William and Simon de Passe, and his manner very much resembles theirs. Two of his portraits—those of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of EssexRobert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, KG was an English nobleman and a favourite of Elizabeth I. Politically ambitious, and a committed general, he was placed under house arrest following a poor campaign in Ireland during the Nine Years' War in 1599...
, and Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford
Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford
Henry de Vere, 18th Earl of Oxford was an English aristocrat, courtier and soldier.-Life:He was born on 24 February 1593 at Newington, Middlesex, the only son of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, by his second wife, Elizabeth Trentham. He succeeded his father as on 24 June 1604.He is said to...
—are printed in frames engraved by William de Pass, and it is an indication that early on in his carer that Payne cooperated with William de Passe on some projects.
George Vertue
George Vertue
George Vertue was an English engraver and antiquary, whose notebooks on British art of the first half of the 18th century are a valuable source for the period.-Life:...
wrote on the hearsay of John Sturt, another engraver, that Payne was a wastrel who loved drink more than work and was was not reliable. For example he alleges Payne had neglected to take up an invitation to attend the court of Charles I where he was to be offered the position of royal engraver. His irregular way of life resulted in his early death through "indigent circumstances". This must have been about 1647, as Thomas Rawlins in his Calanthe, published in 1648, has an epitaph on Payne, as "lately deceased".
Works
Payne had considerable skill in engraving, and many of his portraits and title-pages have great merit. His chief work is the large engraving, done on two plates, of the great ship "The Sovereign of the Seas", built by Peter PettPeter Pett
Peter Pett, was an English Master Shipwright, and Second Resident Commissioner of Chatham Dockyard. He is noted for the incident concerning the protection of his scale models and drawings of the King's Fleet during the Dutch Raid on the Medway, in Kent in June 1667, during the Second Anglo-Dutch...
at Deptford in 1637. John Evelyn
John Evelyn
John Evelyn was an English writer, gardener and diarist.Evelyn's diaries or Memoirs are largely contemporaneous with those of the other noted diarist of the time, Samuel Pepys, and cast considerable light on the art, culture and politics of the time John Evelyn (31 October 1620 – 27 February...
in his Sculptura extols this engraving, as well as Payne's portraits of Dr. Alabaster, Sir Benjamin Rudyerd
Benjamin Rudyerd
Sir Benjamin Rudyerd or Rudyard , of West Woodhay in Berkshire, was an English politician and poet, Member of Parliament for various constituencies between 1620 and 1648, and a colonial investor who was one of the incorporators of the Providence Company in 1630.Benjamin was the son of James Rudyerd...
, and others. Among other portraits engraved by Payne were those of Bishop Joseph Hall
Joseph Hall
Joseph Hall may refer to:*Joseph Hall *Joseph Hall *Joseph N. Hall , American author*Joseph Hall US Representative from Maine*Joseph Hall...
, Bishop Lancelot Andrews, Sir Edward Coke
Edward Coke
Sir Edward Coke SL PC was an English barrister, judge and politician considered to be the greatest jurist of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. Born into a middle class family, Coke was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge before leaving to study at the Inner Temple, where he was called to the...
, Hobson the Carrier, Sir James Ley
James Ley
James Ley may refer to:*James Ley, 1st Earl of Marlborough , Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in Ireland and then in England; English Member of Parliament and Lord High Treasurer*James Ley, 3rd Earl of Marlborough , British peer...
, Christian of Brunswick, &c., and among the title-pages those to The Works of John Boys, D.D., 1629, and to Gerarde's Herball, 1633.
Antony Gerard wrote Payne's biography in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and stated in it that "Payne's fifty-three known plates, which bear dates between 1620 and 1639, and most of which are portrait frontispieces or title-plates to books, vary widely in quality. The worst are no better than those of many contemporaries, but the best, such as the portrait of Sir Benjamin Rudyerd of 1632, are outstanding". The National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery can refer to:*National Portrait Gallery in Canberra*Portrait Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario*National Portrait Gallery , with satellite galleries in Denbighshire, Derbyshire and Somerset...
has four portraits of Payne, and attributes 55 works in their collection to him although some are "possibly by John Payne".