Artwork

Title Page to "The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine" by John Speed

Title Page to "The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine" by John Speed is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jodocus Hondius I. It dates from 1611 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

It was made in 1611 by someone named Speed, but the artist who drew it was Hondius.

This print shows a fancy stage with four men in old-fashioned armor. Each man stands in a round arch, labeled with names like "A Romane" and "A Saxon." At the center, a strong-looking guy holds a spear and stands on a globe. The whole thing looks like a theater set, with lots of carvings and crowns on top.

The text says this is a map of England’s kingdoms. It was made in 1611 by someone named Speed, but the artist who drew it was Hondius. The details are sharp because it’s an engraving—lines carved into metal.

Want to see how this kind of print was made? Look up engraving.

Overview

This 1611 engraving serves as the title page for John Speed's geographical work, 'The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine', crafted by Jodocus Hondius I. The print combines symbolic figures with cartographic announcement, setting the tone for the book's thematic blend.

Subject & Meaning

Four armored figures, each identified by a historical or ethnic label (e.g., 'A Romane', 'A Saxon'), occupy rounded arches. Centrally, a robust figure grasping a spear stands atop a globe, symbolizing dominion over the territories mapped in the book, introduced as a 'map of England’s kingdoms'.

Technique & Style

Executed as an engraving, the piece showcases sharp, intricately carved lines, characteristic of the medium. Ornate details, including carvings and crowns, adorn the theatrical backdrop, reflecting early 17th-century decorative aesthetics.

History & Provenance

Created in 1611 by Jodocus Hondius I for John Speed's publication, the engraving's production credits highlight the collaborative nature of early modern cartographic works.

Context

Published during a period of growing interest in national identity and geography, this title page reflects the era's fascination with historical heritage and territorial mapping, framing England's kingdoms within a broader, symbolically rich narrative.