PORTRAITS OF HENRY PURCELL.
Being employed upon an entirely new biography of Henry Purcell, I am most anxious to procure all the information in my power relative to the various portraits extant of this "famous musician." Granger's list is very imperfect, but having by my own researches considerably extended it, I submit it to your readers for perusal, in the hope that those who are versed in the lore of "print" or "picture collecting" may correct errors, or point out omissions.
Paintings and Drawings.
1. Head of Purcell, painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller. Lately in the possession of E. Bates, Esq., of Somerset House.
2. Half-length, said (but evidently erroneously) to have been painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Now in the meeting-room of the Royal Society of Musicians, Lisle Street, Soho.
3. Half-length, originally used as a sign at the tavern known by the name of "The Purcell's Head," in Wych Street, Strand. Query, where is it at present?
4. Portrait of Purcell when a very young man, formerly among Cartwright's pictures in Dulwich College. Query, what has become of it?
5. An original portrait by Closterman. In his hand is a miniature of Queen Mary. Formerly in the collection of Charles Burney, Mus. Doc., at whose sale it was sold, in 1814, for 18l. 18s. I cannot trace this picture.
6. Crayon drawing, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, from the first-mentioned painting. Formerly in Mr. Bartleman's collection.
Engravings.