Collecting Portrait Prints - Cardinal Thomas Wolsey after Hans Holbein

Affordable portrait prints remain popular. They tell us something about the subject and about how the subject wanted to be depicted.  I regularly have buyers purchase small engraved portraits of eminent personages of.  These engravings were engraved from authentic pictures in the galleries of the nobility and public collections of the country.  Portraiture is such a vast genre, that there is bound to be something within it that you may like.  It could be some historic family connection, military interest or simply an artistic appreciation for the portrait.

Above: Cardinal Wolsey after the original by Holbein in the collection at Christ Church, Oxford. Here engraved by W.T. Mote with the addition of later fine hand colour. Published: Portraits of Illustrious personages of Great Britain. Engraved from Authentic Pictures in the Galleries of the Nobility and the Public Collections of the Country. Edmund Lodge, Esq. F.S.A. c1835.

Thomas Wolsey was an English archbishop, statesman and a cardinal of the Catholic Church. When Henry VIII became King of England in 1509, Wolsey became the King's almoner. Wolsey's affairs prospered, and by 1514 he had become the controlling figure in virtually all matters of state.

Some collectors prefer coloured prints for decorative purposes or to display as they look more attractive coloured. Many people collect engraved prints that have been painted with additional watercolour after the engraving was produced. Because the approach of each water colourist in a sense produces a unique 'new work' its fair to say that the addition of colour gives the buyer a truly unique print. This may well be perfect as a gift or present for a loved one. If you're looking for a particular engraving of a historic personage feel free to drop me an email. 

Happy Hunting! 

The above engraved print is set within a 10" x 8" mount ready for framing. You can see more portrait prints HERE.