Artwork
Ho Nee Yeath Taw No Row, King of the Generethgarick
Ho Nee Yeath Taw No Row, King of the Generethgarick is an ink print by the Baroque artist John Simon. It dates from 1710 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1710, this mezzotint on laid paper presents a portrait of Ho Nee Yeath Taw No Row, identified as a native king.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:across bottom in plate: Ho Nee Yeath Taw No Row King of the Generethgarick; lower left in plate: I. Verelst pinx; lower center in plate: I Simon fecit; lower right in plate: Sold at ye Rainbow and Dovey Corner of Ivey Bridge in ye Strand
About this work
Overview
Created in 1710, this mezzotint on laid paper presents a portrait of Ho Nee Yeath Taw No Row, identified as a native king. The image shows the sitter in traditional attire, complete with feathered headdress, rendered with a high degree of realism.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is portrayed as a sovereign of his people, his regalia emphasizing status and cultural identity. The composition focuses on the individual’s face and headdress, suggesting an intention to document a specific person rather than an allegorical or mythological scene.
Technique & Style
John Simon employed the mezzotint process, a printmaking method that allows for subtle gradations of tone and deep shadows. By roughening the plate and then smoothing areas to hold less ink, he achieved the characteristic rich, velvety blacks and delicate highlights that give the portrait its three‑dimensional quality.
History & Provenance
Simon, an English engraver of French Huguenot ancestry, was active from the late 1600s through the mid‑1700s and is noted for his portrait work, often in partnership with painter Godfrey Kneller. This print forms part of his extensive output in the mezzotint medium, reflecting the period’s interest in documenting notable individuals across cultures.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Simon, anglicized as John Simon (also spelled Simons; c. 1675–1751) was an English mezzotint engraver and print publisher of French Huguenot birth, particularly known for his portraits. Notably associated with the…
