Jacobus Houbraken – Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, copper engraving, 1746

Jacobus Houbraken – Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, copper engraving, 1746

An antique engraving (copper engraving) with the portrait of Sir Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1676–1745), the man regarded as the first British Prime Minister. Engraved by the Dutch master engraver Jacobus Houbraken in Amsterdam, after a painted portrait by Arthur Pond, and published by John and Paul Knapton in London. The print belongs to the famous portrait series The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain with texts by Thomas Birch (1743–1752). The plate bears the inscriptions ‘ROBERT EARL OF ORFORD.’, ‘Art. Pond pinx.’, ‘J. Houbraken sculps. Amst. 1746.’ and ‘Impensis J. & P. Knapton Londini, 1746.’

Why we chose this piece

Houbraken was considered one of the finest portrait engravers of his time, and it shows here: the face, the curled wig and the lace are built up from thousands of fine, swelling lines (photos 4 and 5). Walpole is set in an oval baroque frame wearing the star and sash of the Order of the Garter, and below lie the symbols of his office and rank: the earl’s coronet, staffs, a caduceus and a stream of coins. A striking example from this series, of one of the most important English statesmen of the 18th century.

Style and interior

Framed in a simple black or gilt frame with a generous mount, this is a beautiful piece for a classic, English or library interior, in a study, hallway or stairwell. It also combines well with other portrait engravings from the same series to create a wall of ‘illustrious persons’.

Artist: Jacobus Houbraken (1698–1780), after Arthur Pond (1701–1758)
Technique: copper engraving on paper
Signature: in the plate: ‘Art. Pond pinx.’ and ‘J. Houbraken sculps. Amst. 1746.’
Publisher: John & Paul Knapton, London
Dimensions: to follow shortly (loose sheet, unframed)
Period: plate dated 1746; impression 18th century
Origin: England (engraved in Amsterdam)
Quantity: 1
Condition: good condition for a print of this age. A clear, strong impression with a distinct plate mark (photo 3); the image itself is clean and undamaged. The sheet has been trimmed all round to a narrow margin outside the plate mark. The paper is lightly toned, with scattered light spots (foxing), mainly on the reverse (photo 6). Soft creases in the corners and along the lower edge (photos 2 and 3). On the reverse, remains of old paper hinges along the top and right-hand edges (photo 6). Sold without frame.

Price:
€ 120

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