Printing plate
copper plate
Portrait of Sir Norton Knatchbull
Object number
LDSAL2022.2.108
Artist/Designer/Maker
Posselwhite, James - Engraver
Smith, Herbert Luther - intermediary draughtsman
Smith, Herbert Luther - intermediary draughtsman
Production date
1800-1848
Material
copper
Technique
Stipple
Dimensions
height: 378mm
width: 281mm
width: 281mm
Location
Burlington House - RUB M
Content description
Printing plate with the three-quarter length portrait of Sir Norton Knatchbull; after the painting by Samuel van Hoogstraten; with copper plate maker's stamp on reverse
Inscriptions
Inscription content
Sir Norton Knatchbull, Kn.t & Bar.t
From the Original Picture by Hoogstraten at Hatch
From the Original Picture by Hoogstraten at Hatch
Inscription content
Drawn by Herbert L. Smith / Engraved by J. Posselwhite
Inscription content
HUGHES
PETERBOH CT
FLEET ST
LONDON
PETERBOH CT
FLEET ST
LONDON
References
Reference (controlled)
Betti, Chiara. “Lost Treasures Resurface: The Untold Story of the Society of Antiquaries’ Printing Plates.” The Antiquaries Journal 104 (2024): 304–42. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003581524000179.
Printing plate with the three-quarter length portrait of Sir Norton Knatchbull; after the painting by Samuel van Hoogstraten; with copper plate maker's stamp on reverse
Sir Norton Knatchbull, 1st Baronet (1602–1685), was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1640 and 1679. Knatchbull was born at Mersham Hatch in Kent, the second son of Thomas Knatchbull and his wife Eleanor Astley, daughter of John Astley.
This plate is listed in a handlist of the woodblocks and copper plates commissioned by Thomas Streatfeild found in one drawer at the Society of Antiquaries. In the list, the plate is described as "Portrait of Sir Norton Knatchbull, large".
The printing plates and woodblocks commissioned by Streatfeild for his "History of Kent" were donated by Mrs Streatfeild (possibly daughter-in-law) to the Society in 1890 (see Proceedings, May 1st, 1890, p. 149).
The original painting by Samuel van Hoogstraten was purchased by Dordrechts Museum in 2021. It was auctioned with the Mountbatten family collection at Sotheby's in London and comes from the possession of Patricia, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma (1924-2017), a niece of Prince Philip (1921-2021) and descendant of Queen Victoria. Her husband, Lord Brabourne, who had already died in 2005, was a direct descendant of Sir Norton Knatchbull. The portrait was commissioned by Sir Norton Knatchbull in 1667 and has always remained in the Knatchbull family. The painting first hung at the Knatchbull family's country home, Mersham Hatch in Kent, and in more recent years, has been on loan at Maidstone Town Hall and was also at Newhouse in Kent of the Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
This plate is listed in a handlist of the woodblocks and copper plates commissioned by Thomas Streatfeild found in one drawer at the Society of Antiquaries. In the list, the plate is described as "Portrait of Sir Norton Knatchbull, large".
The printing plates and woodblocks commissioned by Streatfeild for his "History of Kent" were donated by Mrs Streatfeild (possibly daughter-in-law) to the Society in 1890 (see Proceedings, May 1st, 1890, p. 149).
The original painting by Samuel van Hoogstraten was purchased by Dordrechts Museum in 2021. It was auctioned with the Mountbatten family collection at Sotheby's in London and comes from the possession of Patricia, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma (1924-2017), a niece of Prince Philip (1921-2021) and descendant of Queen Victoria. Her husband, Lord Brabourne, who had already died in 2005, was a direct descendant of Sir Norton Knatchbull. The portrait was commissioned by Sir Norton Knatchbull in 1667 and has always remained in the Knatchbull family. The painting first hung at the Knatchbull family's country home, Mersham Hatch in Kent, and in more recent years, has been on loan at Maidstone Town Hall and was also at Newhouse in Kent of the Countess Mountbatten of Burma.