FAITHORNE, WILLIAM. This distinguished English engraver of the time of Charles I. was born in London, but in what year is not known. He was instructed by Mr. (afterwards Sir Robert) Peaks, painter and priutseller, with whom ho worked three or four years before the breaking out of the rebellion ; and when Sir Robert Peaks was made lieutenant-colonel, and intrusted with a command in Basing House, Faithorne enlisted under him, and they were both taken prisoners together. Faithorne was brought to London and confined in Aldersgate, whate he resumed the graver ; he was however shortly afterwards released*and permitted to go to France. He returned about 1650, and opened a print-shop in the Strand, near Temple Bar, and prosecuted his art at the same time. About 1680 he gave up this shop, removed to Printing-House Yard, Blackfriars, and in addition to engraving pursued portrait-painting in crayons. Ho died in 1691, and was buried in St. Anne's, Blackfriars.
In 1662 Faithorne published a treatise on engraving, dedicated to Sir Robert Peake, entitled, 'The Art of Oravcing and Etching, wherein is expressed the true way of Graveing in Copper. Also the Manner and Method of that famous Callot, and M. Bosse, iu their several ways of Etching.' Walpole has given a considerable list of Faithorne's print% of which the following are some of the best :—Iiis own ' Head' looking over his shoulder, with long hair ; 'Sir William Pluton, Bart.,' 1659, which
Walpole terms his most perfect work ; ' Lady Fasten; same date, pro bably after Vandyck ; Margaret Smith,' widow, wife of Sir Edward Herbert, after Vandyck; ' Montagu Berths' second Earl of Lindsey, after Vandyck: 'Sanderson,' 1658, prefixed to his ' Graphleo,' after 9aust ; ' Anne Bridges,' Countess of Exeter, after Vandyck ; ' Thomas Hobbes, setat. seventy-aix;" Henrietta Maria,' with a veil, executed in Paris; a large full-length emblematical print of 'Cromwell,' in armour ; 'Queen Catherine,. In the dress in which she arrived in England ; ' Barbara, Countess of Castlemaine; " Prince Rupert,' after Daimon; 'Dr. Herres.; bust on a pedestal ; 'Sir Thomas Fairfax,' after Walker; 'John Milton. [etal. sixty-two,' drawn by Faithorne himself, &c.; and four illustrations to Taylor's ' Life of Christ,' the 'Last Supper,' ' Christ Praylrg in the Garden,' the 'Scourging.' and the 'Marriage of Cana.' Ilia works were chiefly portraits. His son William, called William Faithorno the Younger, engraved portraits in mezzotint, but he was of dissipated habits, and he died towards the close of the 17th century, aged about thirty. There are heads by him of 'Mary, Prince.. of Orange," Queen Anne," Prince George of Denmark,' 'Charles XII. of Sweden," Dryden,' &c.