| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Jacobus Houbraken after Isaac Oliver |
| Published | Impensis J. & P. Knapton Londini 1738. [1743-1752] |
| Dimensions | Image 357 x 220 mm, Plate 368 x 228 mm, Sheet 490 x 337 mm |
| Notes |
A bust length portrait of Henry Prince of Wales in turned slightly to left but looking at the vier, wearing a decorated suit of armour, lace collar, and an order of the garter, all in an oval with gorgon head at the bottom above a vignette of a jousting scene with a suit of armour in the foreground. This portrait of Prince Henry 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. Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales (February 19, 1594- November 6, 1612), Eldest son of James I and Anne of Denmark. He dies at the age of 18 from typhoid. 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. Isaac Oliver (1565 – 1617) was a French-born English portraitist. Born in Rouen, he moved to London in 1568 with his Huguenot parents Peter and Epiphany Oliver to escape the Wars of Religion in France. He then studied miniature painting under Nicholas Hilliard; and developed a naturalistic style, which was largely influenced by Italian and Flemish art. Ver Huell 29, O'Donoghue 2 Condition: Excellent impression with good full margins, light overall time toning. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £120.00 |
| Stock ID | 44735 |