Mercier, Philip

Mercier, Philip (b Berlin, 1689/91; d London, 18 July 1760). German-born painter and etcher of French extraction who spent all his known career in England, where he settled in about 1716. He was ‘no genius’ ( Ellis Waterhouse), but his work has considerable charm and he has the distinction of introducing the conversation piece to England—Party on a Terrace: The Schutz Family (1725, Tate, London) is the first dated example; he also pioneered the fancy picture. Many engravings were made of his work, helping to spread the Rococo style in England. His patrons included several Hanoverian courtiers and in 1729 he was appointed principal painter to Frederick, Prince of Wales (see Royal Collection), who had moved to England from Hanover the previous year. From 1739 to 1751 he lived in York (in this period he visited Ireland and Scotland), then returned to London. His daughter Charlotte (1738–62) was a pastel portraitist. She died in a workhouse, which suggests that her father's career may have declined in his final years.