Hans Kaspar (Johann) von Bothmer, Count Bothmer (1656-1732) courtier and diplomat

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

From 1711, during the reign of Queen Anne, German diplomat Hans Kaspar von Bothmer spent increasing amounts of time in the UK. He protested against the Treaty of Utrecht on behalf of George Ludwig (later King George I of Great Britain and Ireland), who was concerned about a peace negotiated between Britain and France, separate to the existing European coalition of the Grand Alliance. Bothmer was rewarded for his service to Hanover by being raised to the rank of ‘Reichsgraf’ (Imperial Count). After Anne’s death in 1714 he held one of the lists of George Ludwig’s proposed regents. Bothmer remained in London after George’s succession and acted as an adviser, although his role remained that of courtier and diplomat, rather than minister. At the time of his death, in June 1732, Bothmer was resident in a house that became part of what we now know as 10 Downing Street. In his will Bothmer requested a burial in Germany.

John Faber I was born at The Hague and worked as a portrait miniaturist in the Netherlands until at least 1696. By 1698 he had settled in London. He began to experiment with mezzotint engraving and, by 1707, established a printselling business in the Strand. Faber produced a wide range of engraved portraits, including those of clergy and Jacobites, and four portraits of Charles I. He also made series of portraits such as ‘Twelve Ancient Philosophers’, after Rubens. From 1711 to 1712 he collaborated with engraver George Vertue on a project to engrave portraits in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and he later made a series of founders of Oxford and Cambridge colleges. His son was engraver John Faber (c.1695-1756). He died in Bristol, aged c.61.

People

Hans Kaspar [Johann] von, Count Bothmer Bothmer (1656 - 1732)

Places

Subjects

male portrait, 18th century costume, coat, wig, coat of arms, Count, diplomat

Materials & Techniques

mezzotint

Artist

John, I Faber (c.1660 - 1721)

Title

Hans Kaspar (Johann) von Bothmer, Count Bothmer (1656-1732) courtier and diplomat

Date

1717

Medium

Mezzotint

Acquisition

Presented by Mrs Mabel Savile, June 1924

Provenance

Collection of Mrs. Mabel Savile; by whom presented for display No. 10 Downing Street in 1924

GAC number

0/21