John R. Smith: A noted mezzotint engraver, born at Derby in 1752 and a son of “Smith of Derby.” He was apprenticed to a draper in that town and subsequently served in a shop in London. He took up engraving and produced may fine mezzotints after Romney Reynolds, an other painters, he also painted miniatures and executed portraits and subject plecutres in crayon. He was appointed engraver to the Prince of Wales. He exhibited 1773 to 1805, chiefly at the Royal Academy but also at the Incorporated Society of Artists and Free Society of Artists. He was a friend of Morland an Ibbetson. James and William Work, Peter De Wint and Hilton were among his pupils. He died at Doncaster on the 2nd of March 1812. Several of his pictures are in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museums at South Kensington, London.” (From the Victoria and Albert Museum Catalog. Color mezzotint on off-white paper.