| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Jacobus Houbraken after Anthony van Dyck |
| Published | Impensis J. & P. Knapton Londini, 1748. [1743-1752] |
| Dimensions | Image 360 x 222 mm, Plate 370 x 230 mm, Sheet 492 x 345 mm |
| Notes |
A bust length portrait of Sir Kenlem Digby turned slightly to left but looking at the viewer wearing a brocade jacket and lace collar, in an architectural oval with fabric draped on it with a globe, books, and a flower in a plant pot below. This portrait of Kenlem Digby 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. Sir Kenlem Digby (July 11, 1603-June 11, 1665) English diplomat, courtier, author, and naval commander. 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. Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) was a Flemish painter. A pupil of Rubens, Van Dyke worked in Italy from 1621-26, and then from 1632 onwards he predominantly painted in England, where he was knighted by Charles I. Ver Heull 56, O'Donoghue 7 Condition: Good impression with a printers crease running through the middle of the lower half of the sheet, good full margins. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £65.00 |
| Stock ID | 44740 |