Henricus VIII Angliae Rex etc.
Original title: Henricus VIII Angliae Rex etc.
kurzbeschreibung
King Henry VIII of England appears in this 1647 etching by Wenceslaus Hollar within an oval frame, dressed in sumptuous garments with a feather on his head. The Latin inscription “HENRICVS VIII. ANGLIAE REX etc.” identifies the sitter.
Description
Henry VIII sits inside an oval, his expression serious and thoughtful. Over an elaborately decorated doublet with a wide collar lies a chain with a large pendant; the headpiece is adorned with a feather or plume. Below the portrait stand the Latin text and a signature naming the maker. The arrangement is centrally aligned, with face and clothing forming the clear focal point.
Context
The Bohemian Wenceslaus Hollar worked in England during the 17th century. The etching of 1647 was made about a hundred years after Henry’s death in 1547. It reproduces an older model, presumably a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger. Prints of this kind made historical figures known to a wider public.
Impact
The precise linework and rich rendering of the clothing give the sheet an air of power and dignity. The king’s serious gaze underscores authority and historical significance. Even lighting and a clear layout produce a calm, representative effect.
Technique
Hollar created the sheet as an etching in the only state, so only one printed version exists. This technique allows fine lines and shading, which here convey fabrics and jewelry. The black-and-white print measures 14.3 × 10.7 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)