Algernon Percy, Earl of Northumberland - Jacobus Houbraken

A detailed 1738 engraving by Jacobus Houbraken, depicting Algernon Percy, Earl of Northumberland, based on a portrait by Anthony van Dyck.

This engraving by Jacobus Houbraken depicts Algernon Percy, the 10th Earl of Northumberland. The work is based on an original portrait by Anthony van Dyck. Houbraken, a Dutch engraver known for his technical precision, produced this plate for Thomas Birch's 'Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain', a collection that documented significant figures in British history through high-quality printmaking.

The composition follows the conventions of eighteenth-century portraiture. The Earl is presented within an oval frame, his gaze directed toward the viewer with a composed expression. He wears armour, reflecting his status and military responsibilities. The frame itself is adorned with carved foliage, providing a decorative border that separates the subject from the surrounding space. Below the portrait, a putto sits upon a plinth, gesturing toward a relief carving that depicts naval vessels. This inclusion serves as a reference to the Earl's role as Lord High Admiral of England.

Houbraken demonstrates his skill through the varied application of line. He uses dense hatching to create depth within the shadows of the armour and the background, while lighter, more delicate strokes define the texture of the hair and the soft contours of the putto. The print exhibits the characteristic clarity of the period, where the engraver sought to translate the painterly qualities of Van Dyck into a structured, monochromatic medium. The text inscribed along the base identifies the subject and acknowledges the original painter, as well as the collection from which the image was sourced. This piece offers a clear example of the collaborative nature of historical print production, where the engraver acted as a conduit for the dissemination of aristocratic portraiture to a wider audience.