Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset - Jacobus Houbraken

A detailed 1738 engraving by Jacobus Houbraken depicting Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, based on a portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger.

This engraving by Jacobus Houbraken depicts Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, the Lord Protector of England during the early reign of Edward VI. The print is based on an earlier portrait attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger. Houbraken, a Dutch engraver, was highly regarded for his technical precision and his contributions to Thomas Birch's 'Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain', a collection that documented the figures of English history through fine printmaking.

The composition follows a traditional format for historical portraiture. The central oval frame contains a bust-length likeness of the Duke, who wears a dark cap and a simple cloak, holding a small pendant. The surrounding frame is decorated with drapery and foliage, providing a sense of gravitas. Below the portrait, a smaller, rectangular scene depicts a historical narrative, likely referencing a moment of state ceremony or the investiture of the Duke. The inclusion of a crown and a ceremonial axe at the base of the print serves as a visual shorthand for the subject's political authority and his eventual fall from power.

Houbraken's line work is exceptionally controlled, using cross-hatching to create depth and shadow within the folds of the clothing and the contours of the face. The contrast between the formal portrait and the detailed narrative scene below demonstrates the engraver's ability to manage varying scales of information within a single plate. This work provides a window into the eighteenth-century interest in historical iconography and the preservation of Tudor-era figures through the medium of print. It remains a clear example of the high standards of Dutch engraving during the period, capturing the solemnity associated with the political figures of the sixteenth century.