Artwork
Sir Thomas More, Lord Chacellor
Sir Thomas More, Lord Chacellor is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jean Waldor. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor is a 1621 engraving by Jean Waldor, portraying the historical figure in a formal, black-and-white portrait.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts Sir Thomas More, a significant historical figure, dressed in attire indicative of his high status: a fur-trimmed cloak, a tall hat, and a ceremonial chain with a medallion. His gesture, pointing with a hand that also holds a rolled document, may symbolize his role in governance or scholarship.
Technique & Style
Executed in a detailed and precise manner, the engraving showcases Waldor's use of dense linework to achieve textured, shaded effects, particularly in rendering fabric folds, shadows, and the subject's facial expression. The plain background emphasizes the subject.
History & Provenance
Created in 1621 by Jean Waldor, specific details about the engraving's commission, original audience, or subsequent ownership history are not provided in the available information.
Context
As an engraving, the work reflects the early 17th-century practice of producing portraits of esteemed figures for wider dissemination. The medium allowed for the mass production of images, contributing to the popularization of Sir Thomas More's likeness during that time.
Artist & collection
