Anne Oldfield
- Artist: Edward Fisher
- Artist: Jonathan Richardson
- Artist: John Spilsbury
- Date: circa 1760-1785
- Medium: mezzotint
- Dimensions: Long Term Loan
- Portrays: Anne Oldfield
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
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About this artwork
This mezzotint of Anne Oldfield, the celebrated actress born in 1683, shows her face in a relaxed half‑profile. The fine lines give depth to her hair and collar, while subtle shading brings out her eyes. You’ll notice she holds a book—a nod to her love of libraries—and the paper edges suggest an actor’s costume, hinting at her theatrical roles.
The image is based on a portrait by Jonathan Richardson; Edward Fisher carved the mezzotint, and John Spilsbury printed it around 1760‑1785. The work has been loaned from John Murray.
See it in person
Anne Oldfield is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
