Portrait of a Gentleman, seated three-quarter length, in a grey velvet suit and lace cuffs, holding a book beside a table

Though Thomas Frye is best known today for his fine mezzotints (his series of 'Heads', published in 1760-2, were influential on the early paintings of Joseph Wright of Derby), and for his involvement in the establishment of the Bow porcelain factory in Essex, his reputation as a portrait painter was well established by circa 1736, two years after his move from Dublin to London. In this year he was commissioned to paint Frederick, Prince of Wales to commemorate his election as Perpetual Master of the Company of Saddlers. On his appointment as manager of Bow in 1744 Frye interrupted his painting career, only resuming fully in 1760 after he retired due to ill health. Portrait commissions by Frye are recorded from 1734 until the year of his death, 1762 (see Michael Wynne, Thomas Frye (1710-1762 in 'Burlington Magazine', CXIV, 827, Feb. 1972).