A detailed 1738 engraving by Jacobus Houbraken depicting Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, featuring symbolic ecclesiastical and political iconography.

This engraving by Jacobus Houbraken depicts Thomas Wolsey, the powerful English cardinal and statesman who served Henry VIII. Published in 1738, the work is part of a larger series documenting historical figures, often based on earlier paintings or drawings. Houbraken, a Dutch engraver based in Amsterdam, became known for his technical precision and his ability to render texture through the careful application of line.

The portrait presents Wolsey in profile, enclosed within a stone-carved oval frame. He wears the traditional vestments of his office, including the biretta. The composition extends beyond the portrait itself, incorporating a base decorated with symbolic elements. A lion mask sits at the centre of the plinth, supporting a cartouche that bears the subject's name. Surrounding this are items associated with Wolsey's life and ecclesiastical status, such as a staff, a seal, and a book, which suggest his roles as both a churchman and a political advisor. The drapery falling behind the oval frame adds a sense of depth and formality to the image.

Houbraken utilised a sophisticated system of cross-hatching and stippling to create tonal variation. This technique allows for the subtle modelling of the face and the realistic depiction of fabric folds. The work reflects the eighteenth-century interest in historical biography and the collection of portraiture. By combining the portrait with allegorical objects, the artist provides a visual summary of the subject's career. This print is a fine example of the reproductive engraving tradition, where the skill of the engraver was essential for the dissemination of historical likenesses to a wider public. The clarity of the lines and the balanced arrangement of the decorative elements demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship associated with Houbraken's output during this period.