| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Jacobus Houbraken after Hans Holbein the younger |
| Published | Published by Knapton, London. 1738. but later impression |
| Dimensions | Image 357 x 220 mm, Plate 372 x 240 mm |
| Notes |
A bust length portrait of Edward Seymour turned to the right, with a long beard, wearing a dark robe and a feathered hat, holding a medal in his left hand, in an architectural oval above a vignette of a man being knighted. This portrait of Edward Seymour is from Thomas Birch's The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain. The portraits featured in the series, which were engraved by Jacob Houbraken and George Vertue, were originally issued from 1737 onwards in portfolios of four portraits. Between 1743 and 1752, the series was published by John and Paul Knapton in London in the form of Birch's The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain, and contained biographies alongside the portraits. The number of plates included varied from edition to edition. Although the majority contained 108 plates, some editions contained as many as 120. Houbraken was responsible for producing a large proportion of the portraits, with Vertue only engraving around seven. The ornamental surroundings featured on the plates were engraved prior to the portraits, and were done so by Hubert-François Gravelot. Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (1506-1552), 'The Protector'; statesman. Jacob, or Jacobus, Houbraken (1698-1780) was a Dutch portrait engraver, and dealer and collector of Rembrandt's etchings. Born in Dordrecht, he was the son of the artist Arnold Houbraken. In 1707 he moved to Amsterdam, where he assisted his father on a book of the lives of the Dutch Golden Age artists, entitled De Groote Schouburgh der Nederlantsche konstschilders en schilderessen (1718-1721). Between 1743 and 1752, Houbraken worked with George Vertue on Thomas Birch's Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain. He also engraved the portraits for Jan van Gool's Nieuwe schouburg der Nederlantsche kunstschilders (1750-51). Between 1752 and 1759, he worked on Jan Wagenaar's Vaderlandsche historie, which was published by Isaac Tirion. Ver Heull 90, O'Donoghue 1 Condition: A good early impression with full margins with light overall time toning to sheet and some creasing in the margins not affecting the plate or image. From Birch's Heads O'Donoghue 1. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £45.00 |
| Stock ID | 16752 |