John Milton

Art Historical Context

Behold the striking portrait of **John Milton**, the renowned poet and author of *Paradise Lost captured in this 1670 engraving by master printmaker William Faithorne the Elder. Faithorne, a leading figure in 17th-century engraving, produced this image when Milton was in his early 60s and already blind, yet at the height of his literary fame. This intimate bust-length depiction, measuring just 7 3/4 × 5 3/4 inches, conveys the poet's dignified presence through Faithorne's precise line work, evoking the grandeur of Anthony van Dyck's portrait style, which heavily influenced the engraver. As the second state of three, this print reflects refinements to the plate—likely subtle enhancements to shading or details—making it a prized example of Restoration-era printmaking. Engravings like this were vital for disseminating likenesses of cultural icons before photography, allowing Milton's image to reach admirers across Europe. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired via the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1917), it stands as a testament to the intersection of literature and visual art, immortalizing a man whose words reshaped English epic poetry. (198 words)

About the Artist

John Milton|William Faithorne the Elder (British|British|British|British) · 1608 |1807 |1825 |1608 –1674 |1856 |1899 |1674

British, London 1608–1674 London|British, active London, 1807/8–56|British, North Shields, Northumberland 1825–1899 Weybridge, Surrey|British, London 1608–1674 London