Artwork
Frances Howard, Duchess of Richmond
Frances Howard, Duchess of Richmond is an ink print by the Baroque artist Francis Delaram. It dates from 1623 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Francis Delaram’s 1623 copperplate engraving presents Frances Howard, Duchess of Richmond, in a formal portrait. Rendered in black and white, the image shows the noblewoman with a composed expression, dressed in a high‑collared gown trimmed with lace at the neck and wrists, and adorned with a pearl necklace and a star‑shaped brooch.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Frances Howard, held the title of Duchess of Richmond, reflecting her high social rank within early‑17th‑century England. The inclusion of a crown‑like ornamental frame and a coat of arms above her head underscores her aristocratic status and family lineage, while the solemn pose conveys the decorum expected of a woman of her standing.
Technique & Style
Delaram employed fine cross‑hatching to model the folds of fabric, the sheen of pearls, and the texture of hair, creating depth through delicate line work. Decorative cherubs and swirling motifs fill the border, a stylistic nod to the Flemish school that influenced his approach, though the background lacks the same level of refinement.
History & Provenance
Active between 1615 and the mid‑1620s, Francis Delamar, likely of Flemish origin but working in England, produced portraits, landscapes, and book illustrations, including plates for William Camden’s Historie. This particular engraving was issued in 1623, situating it within the period of his known output.
Context
The portrait reflects the early Stuart era’s taste for elaborate, emblematic portraiture that combined personal likeness with heraldic and allegorical elements. The ornamental border and inclusion of the sitter’s arms align with contemporary conventions for commemorating members of the nobility in printed form.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francis Delaram (born around 1590, fl. 1615–1624 or 1627), was an English engraver. Delaram left a substantial collection of engraved portraits, landscapes and book illustrations (specifically, William Camden's…
Henricus Percye (Henry Percy, Ninth Earl of Northumberland)
Charles I, as Prince of Wales
Sir Thomas Grisham
Guliemus Segar (Sir William Segar)
Thomae Gresham Equi. Aura (Sir Thomas Gresham)
Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia
Willmus Burton de Falde (William Burton)
Henrici VIII Angliae, Franciae et Hiberniam Rex (King Henry VIII)
