William Baillie (engraver) facts for kids

William Baillie (born 1723, died 1810) was an Irish artist who made prints. He was often called "Captain William Baillie." He was especially known for creating art that looked like, or was copied from, the etchings of the famous Dutch artist Rembrandt. Even though he was an officer in the British Army until 1761, he was often seen as an amateur artist. Later in his life, he worked as a Commissioner of Stamps. He also helped art collectors, like Lord Bute, find and buy artworks.

William Baillie's Life Story

William Baillie was born in Kilbride, County Carlow, Ireland, on June 5, 1723. He went to school in Dublin. When he was about 18, his father sent him to London to study law. But William decided he wanted to join the army, just like his younger brother.

After some discussion with his father, he was allowed to join the 13th Regiment of Foot. He became a senior ensign (a junior officer) before the Battle of Lafeldt, where he carried the regiment's flag. He served in this regiment for many years. He fought in the Battle of Culloden in Scotland and in several battles in Germany. Later, he became an officer in the 51st Regiment. He was a captain of the grenadiers (special soldiers) and a paymaster at the battle of Minden. After that, he spent some time in the 17th Light Dragoons before leaving the army.

William Baillie started making etchings (a type of printmaking) while he was still in the army. His earliest dated prints, from 1753, show soldiers. One of them even shows a named soldier from his own regiment.

He mostly taught himself how to be an artist. However, he did get some lessons from another Irish artist named Nathaniel Hone. After leaving the army in 1761, Baillie spent his time on art. From 1773 to 1795, he also worked as a Commissioner of Stamps.

He made prints in many different styles. He first showed his art in 1762. But his most famous works were those that looked like Rembrandt's etchings or were direct copies of them. To copy Rembrandt's special light and shadow effects, Baillie used a technique called mezzotint. Rembrandt himself did not use this method.

Baillie even bought the original printing plate for Rembrandt's famous "Hundred Guilder Print" when it was very old and worn. He carefully fixed it up and made a limited number of new prints. After that, he cut the plate into four pieces and made prints from each section.

His main job, though, was as an art dealer. He helped important people like the Earl of Bute and Lord Liverpool buy art. Many people thought he was an expert in art during his lifetime. However, not everyone agreed. An engraver named John Thomas Smith said that Baillie "could not draw" and didn't have a good eye for how art should look. Smith especially criticized Baillie's copy of Rembrandt's Three Trees, where Baillie added lightning flashes.

His artworks were collected and published in two large books by John Boydell in 1792. The collection was called A Series of 225 Prints and Etchings after Rembrandt, Teniers, G. Dou, Poussin, and others. William Baillie passed away in Paddington, London, on December 22, 1810.

One of his brothers was Thomas Baillie, who was a Lieutenant-Governor at Greenwich Hospital. Another brother, Robert, was an archdeacon (a church official) in Cashel.

William Baillie's Artworks

Here are some of the main artworks William Baillie created. Some are signed with his name, and some use a special symbol:

• Bust of an Old Man, with a gold chain: This looks like Rembrandt's style. There are two versions, one with the chain and one without.
• Landscape, with a Stone Bridge: Made in 1764.
• Landscape, with the Ruins of a Temple: This piece is in the style of Claude.
• Portrait of Sofonisba Anguisciola, painter: A portrait of a female painter.
• Landscape by Moonlight: Copied from a painting by Aelbert Cuyp.
• The Pen-cutter: Copied from a painting by Gerard Dou.
• The Lacemaker: Copied from a painting by Gerard Dou.
• The Mother of Gerard Dou: Copied from a painting by Gerard Dou.
• Susannah justified by Daniel: Copied from a painting by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout.
• Portrait of Frans Hals, painter: Copied from a painting by F. Hals.
• Portrait of Frans van Mieris: Copied from a painting by Frans van Mieris himself.
• Peasants saying Grace: Copied from a painting by Jan Miense Molenaer.
• James, Duke of Monmouth, on Horseback: Copied from a painting by Caspar Netscher.
• Interior of a Dutch Chamber, with Peasants regaling: Copied from a painting by Adriaen van Ostade, made in 1767.
• Interior, with Peasants smoking and drinking: Copied from a painting by Adriaen van Ostade, made in 1765.
• Christ healing the Sick, also known as the Hundred Guilder Print: This was Rembrandt's original plate, which Baillie bought and fixed up.
• Beggars at the Door of a House: Copied from Rembrandt's etching.
• The Gold-weigher: Copied from Rembrandt's etching.
• The Three Trees: A landscape copied from Rembrandt's etching.
• An Old Man, half-length, with a Beard and Cap: Made in 1765, after Rembrandt.
• The Entombment of Christ: Two different versions.
• An Old Man, half-length, with a large Beard, and his Hands in the Sleeve of his Robe: Made in 1771.
• Landscape, with a Horse lying: Copied from Rembrandt's print.
• The Holy Family: Copied from a painting by Schidone.
• Interior of a village Alehouse: Copied from a painting by Teniers.
• A Student sitting before a Table with a Globe and Books: Copied from a painting by Gerard ter Borch.
• William, Prince of Orange, on Horseback: Copied from a painting by Gerard ter Borch.
• Soldiers quarrelling at Dice: Copied from a painting by Valentin de Boulogne.
• Three Sea-pieces: Copied from drawings by Willem van de Velde the Elder.

Images for kids

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  An 18th Century Soldier with a Rifle, by Captain William Baillie.

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  The Mother of Gerard Dou (1775), a print by Baillie after Gerard Dou.