| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Jacobus Houbraken |
| Published | Impensis J. & P. Knapton Londini, 1738. |
| Dimensions | Image 360 x 223 mm, Plate 372 x 230 mm, Sheet 495 x 340 mm |
| Notes |
A bust length portrait of William of Wykeham wearing a jewelled mitre and jewel chasuble over his alb in an archietctural oval surrounded by oak leaves with winged putti heads and Episcopal and temporal sceptres below. This portrait of William of Wykeham 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. William of Wykeham (1320-24 - September 27, 1404) founder of New College, New College School, and Winchester College. 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 Huell 2, O' Donoghue 3 Condition: Excellent impression with full margins, small tear lower right margin not affecting the image or plate. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £75.00 |
| Stock ID | 45732 |