William Pether (c. 1738 – 1821) was a notable English mezzotint engraver and painter. He is primarily recognized for his skill in mezzotint, a printmaking process that allowed for subtle gradations of tone, which he particularly used to translate the dramatic lighting and chiaroscuro effects of paintings by artists such as Joseph Wright of Derby into print.
Biography
Born in London around 1738, William Pether began his artistic training under the Irish painter and mezzotinter Thomas Frye (c. 1710–1762). Frye was known for his portraits and his pioneering work in mezzotint, which greatly influenced Pether's development. Pether quickly distinguished himself in the art of mezzotint engraving, a process that involves roughening a copper plate with a rocker tool to create a burr, then scraping and burnishing areas to achieve various tones from dark to light.
Pether exhibited both paintings and engravings at the Society of Artists and later at the Royal Academy of Arts, where he showed works from 1773 to 1794. While he was also a painter, creating portraits and genre scenes, it was his printmaking that earned him lasting recognition.
He was a contemporary and collaborator of the renowned painter Joseph Wright of Derby, who specialized in scenes illuminated by candlelight or moonlight. Pether's mastery of mezzotint made him an ideal interpreter of Wright's works, as the technique was uniquely suited to capturing the dramatic contrasts of light and shadow characteristic of Wright's paintings. He also engraved works after other prominent artists, including Rembrandt.
William Pether died in 1821. His brother, Abraham Pether (1756–1812), also became a painter, primarily known for his nocturnal landscapes and often referred to as "Moonlight Pether."
Works and Legacy
William Pether's most significant contributions are his mezzotint engravings, particularly those after Joseph Wright of Derby. These include some of Wright's most iconic works:
- "A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery" (after Joseph Wright of Derby, c. 1766)
- "An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump" (after Joseph Wright of Derby, c. 1768)
- "The Gladiator" (after Joseph Wright of Derby, c. 1765)
His skill in translating the complex interplay of light and shadow, as well as the emotional intensity of the original paintings, into print made these works accessible to a wider audience and cemented his reputation. His technique demonstrated a profound understanding of tonal values and the expressive potential of mezzotint.
Pether's engravings are prized for their technical excellence and their ability to capture the atmospheric qualities of the paintings they reproduce. His work is held in numerous public collections, including the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He remains an important figure in the history of British printmaking.