Artwork
Dryden
Dryden is a drawing by the Romanticist artist John Dryden. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Catholic University of Leuven.
About this work
This drawing shows a portrait of Dryden. It's based on a painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller. The drawing was then engraved by W.Ridley and printed for C. Cooke in 1798.
It's interesting because it involves multiple artists and steps to create the final print. You can learn more about the technique used to create this drawing by looking into cross-hatching.
Overview
The print presents a likeness of the poet John Dry Dryden, rendered as a portrait in the late eighteenth century. It originates from an original painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller, which was first interpreted in a drawing by W.H. Brown. That drawing served as the model for an engraving executed by W. Ridley and issued by the printer C. Cooke on 1 May 1798.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures Dryden, a central figure of Restoration literature, in a dignified pose that reflects his status as a poet‑statesman. By reproducing a Kneller portrait, the print aligns Dryden with the visual conventions of high‑society portraiture, emphasizing his cultural importance and the enduring reverence for his literary contributions.
Technique & Style
Ridley’s engraving employs fine cross‑hatching to translate the tonal values of Brown’s drawing into a monochrome print. The method allows subtle gradations of light and shadow, suggesting the texture of fabric and the contours of the face. This meticulous line work exemplifies the late‑Baroque engraving practice of reproducing painted portraits for wider distribution.
History & Provenance
The chain of production began with Kneller’s original canvas, likely created in the early eighteenth century. W.H. Brown produced a preparatory drawing, which W. Ridley then engraved. The final impression was printed for the London publisher C. Cooke in May 1798, situating the work within the period’s market for affordable reproductions of celebrated individuals.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Dryden made a single drawing in 1798, a small portrait titled simply “Dryden.” Beyond that sheet of paper, nothing else survives under his name.
