Artwork
Francis Lord Verulam Viscount St. Alban
Francis Lord Verulam Viscount St. Alban is an ink print by the Baroque artist Thomas Cross. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The text below says this is "The Portraiture of the Right Honourable Francis Lord Verulam," who died in 1626.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a serious-looking man in old-fashioned clothes. He wears a wide-brimmed hat, a ruffled collar, and a heavy coat. His right hand holds a small object, maybe a glove or a piece of paper.
The artist used fine lines to show texture, especially in his clothes and face. The text below says this is "The Portraiture of the Right Honourable Francis Lord Verulam," who died in 1626.
Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Overview
Thomas Cross’s 1653 engraving presents a formal portrait of Francis Lord Verulam, styled as Viscount St. Alban. Rendered in monochrome, the image captures the gentleman in period attire, his expression solemn and his posture dignified. The composition is framed by an inscription identifying the sitter and noting his death in 1626, situating the work within early‑modern English portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Francis Lord Verulam, held the title Viscount St. Alban and was a figure of the English aristocracy. His attire—a wide‑brimmed hat, ruffled collar, and heavy coat—signals status and adherence to contemporary fashion. The small object clasped in his right hand, possibly a glove or document, may allude to his rank or a specific office, reinforcing his public identity.
Technique & Style
Cross employed a network of fine, intersecting lines to model flesh, fabric, and hair, achieving subtle tonal variation without color. The engraving’s meticulous hatching conveys the texture of velvet and the sheen of metalwork, while the crisp outlines define facial features. This approach reflects the 17th‑century English printmaking tradition, where detailed line work was essential for reproducing portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created in 1653, the print was likely issued shortly after Verulam’s death in 1626, serving both as a commemorative image and a means of disseminating his likeness among peers. Thomas Cross, an established engraver of the period, produced the work for a market of collectors and family members. The print has since entered museum collections, where it is catalogued as an example of mid‑17th‑century English engraving.
Artist & collection
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