Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Peak, James

by Lionel Henry Cust

PEAK or PEAKE, JAMES (1730?–1782?), engraver, born about 1730, practised in London as an engraver in the mixed etching and line manner of Thomas Vivares [q. v.] and others. He attained some eminence as an engraver of landscape, and his works are noteworthy in the history of English engraving. These are mostly from paintings by Claude Lorraine, G. Smith of Chichester, R. Wilson, J. Pillement, and other landscape-engravers. He also executed some spirited etchings of dogs and other animals. He is said to have died about 1782.

[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Nagler's Künstler-Lexicon.]

L. C.