A refined stipple engraving by Conrad Martin Metz, depicting John Poines after an original drawing by Hans Holbein the Younger.

This stipple engraving by Conrad Martin Metz depicts John Poines, a courtier during the reign of Henry VIII. The work is part of a series of reproductions based on the drawings of Hans Holbein the Younger, which were held in the Royal Collection. Metz, a German engraver who spent much of his career in London, was commissioned by John Chamberlaine to translate these delicate chalk drawings into print form for a wider audience.

The portrait captures Poines in profile, wearing a simple cap and a collared garment. The stipple technique allows for subtle gradations of tone, mimicking the soft texture of the original chalk medium. Metz employs fine dots to build the contours of the face and the shading of the clothing, resulting in a refined, academic appearance. The inscription at the top identifies the subject, while the lower margin notes the publication date of March 1792 and the source of the original drawing.

This print reflects the late eighteenth-century interest in historical portraiture and the systematic documentation of royal collections. By employing the stipple method, Metz achieves a level of detail that respects the linear quality of Holbein's draftsmanship. The composition is restrained, focusing entirely on the subject's features and expression. The work provides a clear view of the aesthetic values of the period, where precision and technical skill were highly regarded in the reproduction of master drawings. It remains a fine example of the collaborative efforts between engravers and publishers to bring historical art to the public eye during the Enlightenment era.