Iohanna Seymovr Regina Hen (Jane Seymour, Queen of Henry VIII)
Original title: Iohanna Seymovr Regina Henri (Jane Seynour, Queen of Henry VIII)
kurzbeschreibung
Wenceslaus Hollar made this etching in 1648, portraying Jane Seymour, the third wife of King Henry VIII of England. The queen appears in costly attire, and a Latin inscription below identifies her as the mother of Edward VI.
Description
Jane Seymour faces the viewer directly in a frontal bust portrait. An intricately worked, pearl-studded hood sits on her head; her dress is richly ornamented, and a striking piece of jewellery catches the eye at her neck. A plain dark ground makes the figure stand out clearly. At the bottom, a text panel frames the Latin inscription, which gives her name, her connection to Henry VIII and her motherhood of Edward VI.
Context
This print was made in 1648, about a century after Jane Seymour's death in 1537, shortly after the birth of the future Edward VI. The Bohemian-born engraver Wenceslaus Hollar was known for accurate portraits and topographical views. The portrait belongs to a series of ruler images that Hollar executed after sixteenth-century models. The Latin text beneath underscores the Tudor dynasty and Jane Seymour's role as mother of the heir to the throne.
Impact
The dark ground and precisely observed clothing give the portrait a solemn, restrained character. Hood and jewellery lend the queen a dignified, almost iconic presence that emphasises her historical position.
Technique
The sheet is executed as an etching, preserved in only one state. The etching process allows delicate lines and an exact rendering of fabric patterns and jewellery. The dimensions of 13.2 x 10.8 cm suggest a small, rather intimate portrait format.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)