Sylvester Harding (1745-1809)
Sylvester Harding was a miniature painter and engraver from Newcastle-under-Lyme. ‘Sent to an uncle in London at the age of 10 years, he was placed by him to a trade which he disliked – it is said to a hair-dresser – and at 14 he ran away and was not heard of for several years. He had joined a company of strolling players, and under an assumed name played at Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, but without any hope of success. His first attachment had been to art, and he left the players in 1775, began to practice as a miniature painter, and came to London to follow that branch of the profession.’ (Redgrave).
Harding exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy and engraved portraits to illustrate Shakespeare’s works. His son, Edward Harding, was also an engraver.
Collections
British Museum, London
Metropolitan Museum, New York
National Portrait Gallery, London
Royal Academy, London
Royal Collection Trust
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Literature
Mackenzie, I (1988), British Prints, Antique Collectors’ Club
Redgrave, S (1970 reprint), A Dictionary of Artists of the English School, Kingsmead Reprints
Williamson, G C Ed. (1904), Bryan’s Dictionary of Painters and Engravers, George Bell and Sons
Sylvester Harding was a miniature painter and engraver from Newcastle-under-Lyme. ‘Sent to an uncle in London at the age of 10 years, he was placed by him to a trade which he disliked – it is said to a hair-dresser – and at 14 he ran away and was not heard of for several years. He had joined a company of strolling players, and under an assumed name played at Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, but without any hope of success. His first attachment had been to art, and he left the players in 1775, began to practice as a miniature painter, and came to London to follow that branch of the profession.’ (Redgrave).
Harding exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy and engraved portraits to illustrate Shakespeare’s works. His son, Edward Harding, was also an engraver.
Collections
British Museum, London
Metropolitan Museum, New York
National Portrait Gallery, London
Royal Academy, London
Royal Collection Trust
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Literature
Mackenzie, I (1988), British Prints, Antique Collectors’ Club
Redgrave, S (1970 reprint), A Dictionary of Artists of the English School, Kingsmead Reprints
Williamson, G C Ed. (1904), Bryan’s Dictionary of Painters and Engravers, George Bell and Sons
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