Who painted John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester?

John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester was painted by Nicolas de Larmessin IV in 1720.

Where can I see John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester?

John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester?

John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester

Nicolas de Larmessin IV , 1720

John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester is an ink print by the Baroque artist Nicolas de Larmessin IV. It dates from 1720 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This 1720 engraving presents John Fisher, the Bishop of Rochester, rendered in a stark black‑and‑white palette.

About this work

Overview

This 1720 engraving presents John Fisher, the Bishop of Rochester, rendered in a stark black‑and‑white palette. The portrait shows the cleric in period attire—a tall hat, fur‑lined robe, and clerical collar—with his hands clasped before him. A finely inscribed legend at the base identifies the sitter as "Ioannes, Fischervs, Episc. Roffen," confirming the subject’s ecclesiastical rank.

Subject & Meaning

John Fisher (1469–1535) was a noted English theologian and martyr, executed for refusing to accept King Henry VIII’s supremacy over the Church. The solemn expression, deep facial lines, and dignified pose convey his steadfastness and the gravity of his conviction, reflecting the reverence afforded to him by later generations.

Technique & Style

Engraved by Nicolas de Larmessin IV, the work employs delicate, parallel lines to model the folds of the bishop’s robe and the texture of his skin. The artist’s control of line weight creates subtle tonal variations, while the crisp contouring of the hat and collar emphasizes the figure’s formal status.

History & Provenance

Created in early 18th‑century France, the print was likely intended for devotional or commemorative purposes, circulating among collectors of religious portraiture. Its attribution to Larmessin IV, a member of a prominent engraving family, situates the piece within a broader tradition of French printmaking that documented notable ecclesiastical figures.

Context

The engraving emerges at a time when printed portraits served both as visual records and as tools for veneration. Fisher’s martyrdom had become a symbol of resistance to royal interference in church affairs, and his image was reproduced to reinforce Catholic identity during periods of religious tension in England and abroad.