William Kent (1685?-1748) architect

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall

William Aikman was born in Angus, Scotland, the son of a laird of Cairnie. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh and was intended for a career in law. However, instead he became a pupil of portrait painter John Baptist de Medina, then living in Edinburgh. Aikman moved to London in 1704 and three years later travelled to Rome, Constantinople and Smyrna. He had returned to Edinburgh by 1711, where he developed a successful practice as a portrait painter. In about 1723, he again settled in London, painting portraits of Richard Boyle, Sir Robert Walpole. In 1730, Aikman painted the royal family for Lord Burlington. He died at his house in Leicester Fields the following year after a sudden deterioration in his health.

People

William Kent (1685? - 1748)

Places

Subjects

architect (as Subject), male portrait, 18th century costume

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

William Aikman (1682 - 1731)
Alexander Bannerman (c.1730 - )

Title

William Kent (1685?-1748) architect

Date

1762

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Origin uncertain

GAC number

6494