The brothers William (1787-1852) and Edward Francis Finden (1791-1857) were engravers who often worked together, and became particularly associated with the publisher John Murray. Apart from their many portraits of famous people, they illustrated the works of Byron, Sir Walter Scott and others, to such acclaim that their illustrations were sometimes published as separate volumes. They also produced landscapes and topographical collections, such as their very popular The Ports, Harbours, Watering Places and Coast Scenery of Great Britain, and engraved the paintings of Turner, Clarkson Stanfield and many others. Their studio handled many commissions, and they employed numerous assistants, adding the finer points and finishing touches to their groundwork on the steel plates. In this way they established a reputation for their "elaborate finish and precision" ("Edward Francis Finden") despite their vast output. Hablot Knight Browne (Phiz) was apprenticed to them for a while (see Philip Allingham, "Hablot Knight Browne") — Jacqueline Banerjee
Works
- W. Finden's engraving of the Menai Bridge
- E. F. Finden's engraving of H. W. Pickersgill's portrait of John Murray (1778-1843)
- Engraving of Daniel Maclise's portrait of Dickens
- W. Finden's engraving of Thomas Stothard's headpiece for "Jorasse"
- W. Finden's engraving of Thomas Stothard's tailpiece for "Bergamo"
- W. Finden's engraving of Thomas Stothard's The Fountain
- W. Finden's engraving of Gilbert Stuart Newton's painting of Sir Walter Scott
Bibliography
"Edward Francis Finden (1791-1857), Engraver." National Portrait Gallery. Web. 22 June 2020.
Finden, William. The Ports, Harbours, Watering-Places, and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain. Illustrated by views taken on the spot. Vol. II. City Road, and Ivy Lane, London: Virtue, 1840. Internet Archive. Contributed by the University of California Libraries. Web. 22 June 2020.
Peach, Annette. "Finden, William (1787–1852), engraver." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Onlineed. 22 June 2020.
Created 22 June 2020