Artwork

Henry Somerset, Earl of Worcester, First Dukeof Beaufort

Henry Somerset, Earl of Worcester, First Dukeof Beaufort, by Robert White, ink, 1679
Henry Somerset, Earl of Worcester, First Dukeof Beaufort, by Robert White, ink, 1679

Henry Somerset, Earl of Worcester, First Dukeof Beaufort is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert White. It dates from 1679 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This engraving, created by Robert White in 1679, is a portrait of Henry Somerset, a prominent English aristocrat. The work is a notable example of late 17th-century portrait engraving in England.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Henry Somerset, is depicted in attire signifying high status, with intricate designs on his dark coat and a large bow on his shoulder. His pose, with a sword in one hand and the other resting on a table or chair, conveys a sense of dignity and authority.

Technique & Style

White's engraving technique, influenced by his training under David Loggan, features refined cross-hatching that creates depth and texture. The detailed rendering of Somerset's coat and the background adds to the overall opulence of the image, drawing attention to the subject's face and hands.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Robert White

Artist

Robert White

Robert White (1645 – 1703) was an English draughtsman and engraver. A Londoner, he was a pupil of David Loggan, and became a leading portrait engraver. White was celebrated for his original portraits, drawn in pencil on…

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