SHARP, William, an eminent line-engraver, was born at London on the 29th of January 1749. He was originally apprenticed to what is called a bright engraver, but gradually becoming inspired by the higher branches of the engraver's art, he exercised his gifts with surprising success on works of the old masters. He engraved the "Doctors Disputing on the Immaculateness of the Virgin," and the "Ecce Homo" of Guido Reni; the "St Cecilia" of Domenichino; the "Virgin and Child" of Dolci; and the portrait of "John Hunter" of Sir Joshua Reynolds. The latter work is considered a masterpiece in freedom and accuracy; and, in a power which Sharp possessed beyond all engravers of his day, of representing the various textures of his subject with wonderful skill. He died at Chiswick on the 25th July 1824. Sharp, although shrewd-minded in worldly matters, was one of the greatest visionaries in matters pertaining to religion. No imposture was too gross for him to accept, no deception too glaring for his eyes to admire. The dreams of Mesmer, the rhapsodies of Brothers, and the ravings of Joanna Southcott, found in Sharp a staunch believer. At his death he enjoyed the honour of being a member of the Imperial Academy of Vienna, and of the Royal Academy of Munich.