Artwork

Joseph Hall, Bishop of Norwich

Joseph Hall, Bishop of Norwich, by William Faithorne, ink, 1654
Joseph Hall, Bishop of Norwich, by William Faithorne, ink, 1654

Joseph Hall, Bishop of Norwich is an ink print by the Baroque artist William Faithorne. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

This is a black-and-white portrait of a serious-looking man with a white beard and ruffled collar.

This is a black-and-white portrait of a serious-looking man with a white beard and ruffled collar. He’s wearing a robe and holding a small book or paper in one hand. A crest sits above his head, and another small emblem is pinned to his chest.

The text below says he died in 1656 at age 82, and the style looks old-fashioned but precise. The lines are made with tiny, repeated strokes—this isn’t paint, it’s carved into metal.

Next, check out engraving to see how artists like this made sharp, detailed prints.

Overview

This print is an engraved portrait of Joseph Hall, created by William Faithorne in 1654. It is a black-and-white image that captures the subject's likeness with precision.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Joseph Hall, Bishop of Norwich, as a serious-looking man with a white beard, wearing a robe and holding a small book. Inscriptions on the print note his death in 1656 at the age of 82.

Technique & Style

The engraving is characterized by its precise lines, achieved through tiny, repeated strokes carved into metal. The style is old-fashioned, reflecting the traditional techniques used in engraving during this period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of William Faithorne

Artist

William Faithorne

William Faithorne (1616–1691) was a British artist, born in Greater London.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.