Artwork
Thomas Howard, First Earl of Suffolk
Thomas Howard, First Earl of Suffolk is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Renold Elstrack. It dates from 1598 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
A decorative cartouche surrounds his head, filled with scrollwork, cherubic figures and Latin inscriptions such as *Honoris D.
Renold Elstrack’s 1598 engraving presents Thomas Howard, First Earl of Suffolk, in a formal portrait. Rendered in black‑and‑white, the image shows the nobleman with a trimmed beard, a stiff ruff, and elaborate attire, holding a sheet of paper in one hand while the other rests on a book. A decorative cartouche surrounds his head, filled with scrollwork, cherubic figures and Latin inscriptions such as *Honoris D.* and *Totiang.*
Subject & Meaning
The portrait identifies Howard by name and enumerates his titles, underscoring his status within the English aristocracy. The inclusion of a paper and a book suggests literacy, governance, and perhaps legal or diplomatic duties, while the Latin phrases reinforce notions of honor and totality, typical of early modern self‑presentation among high‑ranking officials.
Technique & Style
Elstrack employed the intaglio engraving process, incising fine lines into a copper plate before inking and pressing onto paper. This method allowed for precise rendering of facial features, textile textures, and intricate ornamental motifs. The crisp line work and balanced composition reflect the late‑Renaissance English print aesthetic, where portraiture served both documentary and decorative purposes.
History & Provenance
Created in 1598, the print bears the artist’s signature *R. Elstrack Sculpsit*, confirming his role as the engraver. While the original plate’s whereabouts are unknown, surviving impressions have circulated among collectors of early modern English portraiture, appearing in auction catalogues and museum collections that focus on Tudor and Stuart era prints.
Context
The engraving belongs to a period when printed portraits were a primary means of disseminating the likenesses of political and noble figures across England. Elstrack, active in London, produced several such works, contributing to the visual culture that reinforced hierarchical identities during the reign of Elizabeth I and the early Stuart monarchy.
Artist & collection
